Everything You Need to Know About Contract Assignment Clauses

When drafting a contract with a seller, one of the most significant provisions is the contract assignment clause.

When drafting a contract with a seller, one of the most significant provisions is the contract assignment clause. Depending on who is creating the contract, it might refer to one of two types of terms in real estate:

It might be a provision stating that the assignor makes no representations or guarantees concerning the agreement or the property and that the assignee agrees to the assignment only after independently studying the property and the agreement.

It might be a provision stating that the assignee will not hold the assignor liable. Furthermore, it may shield the assignor from any claims, costs, obligations, damages, or other expenditures arising from the agreement after its effective date.

How Should an Assignment Agreement Look?

Aside from that, there are a few additional things you should always mention in an assignment agreement. First and foremost, you must always specify and explain the item being discussed in the contract.

You should add an acceptance clause. Consider the following example, which may vary:

The investor, known as the assignee, will accept the aforementioned and preceding Assignment of Contract dated Month, Day, Year by the assignor and the seller and agrees to assume all of the assignor’s obligations and liabilities under the Contract.

You must include wording in the contract dealing with earnest money. A condition stating that the assignee would refund the assignor for any money paid advance, for example, is always a good idea. If the assignee breaches the arrangement, the assignor will forfeit the earnest money.

In addition, utilise the agreement to specify when you should get your assignment fee. You should avoid having your fee paid out of escrow since most lenders will not approve this transaction. If the assignee is unwilling to pay your fee as soon as the arrangement is approved, escrow may be a preferable choice.

Make sure the phrasing is clear here, since it is the only thing that will save you from losing your money if the sale goes through. You should also add a clause that protects you if the seller breaks the contract.

In the agreement, do not refer to your remuneration as a finder’s fee. This is not the same as an assignment and might get you in legal jeopardy.

Finally, make sure you include a clause that notifies the seller of the assignment. This guarantees that everyone interacts with the assignee from now on, so there are no missed conversations.

Whatever you decide to include or exclude from a contract assignment, make sure you write it down. This makes it much simpler to enforce the contract in the event of a legal disagreement.

What Is an Anti-Assignment Provision?

In theory, an anti-assignment clause preserves a person’s ability to select who they work for. Most individuals wrongly feel that this sort of restriction stops them from being allocated, and they conduct their business accordingly. However, it may be enforced unless the anti-assignment provision expressly specifies that an assignment is in breach of the agreement.

What to Look for in Commercial Contract Non-Assignment Clauses

Non-assignment provisions are sometimes included at the conclusion of commercial contracts by parties. Keep an eye out for the following phrases and provisions:

A clause that defines a change of control in a firm. While the firm’s visible structure may remain the same, the company may have a new owner or management. If you get into a commercial relationship with another firm and establish an agreement with the existing owner, be sure to add a provision like this to protect yourself in the event the owner is dismissed from his or her responsibilities.

A provision concerning corporate restructuring. The majority of firms have subsidiary and parent companies that are all owned by a single group or individual. These owners may routinely restructure or rearrange these components of a firm for tax advantages. A corporate reorganisation clause indicates that the owners may be in violation if they attempt to restructure without the company’s authorization. Other parties should not be concerned in most circumstances as long as the management team stays the same, but they may still protest unless this condition is included in the contract.