Which encumbrance involves a property owner being required to adhere to certain restrictions?

The correct answer is the restrictive covenant. This type of encumbrance involves a property owner agreeing to adhere to specific limitations or conditions regarding how the property can be used or developed. These restrictions are often put in place to maintain a certain aesthetic, use, or character within a community or development.

For example, a restrictive covenant may prohibit homeowners from building structures above a certain height, restricting the types of materials they can use, or even outlining specific landscaping requirements. These covenants are enforced via legal agreements, ensuring all property owners within the development comply with the established guidelines, thereby protecting property values and community standards.

In contrast, encroachment refers to a situation where a property owner’s structure or improvement extends onto a neighbor's property, which has different implications and does not inherently involve adherence to restrictions. Liens represent a financial claim against a property due to unpaid debts or obligations, rather than enforceable conditions on property use. Deed restriction, while similar to restrictive covenants, specifically refers to limitations recorded in the deed of the property, but the term “restrictive covenant” more broadly encompasses various types of agreements that restrict usage.