What is an alienation clause designed to prevent?

An alienation clause is designed to prevent the transfer of the property without the lender's permission. This type of clause is found in many mortgage agreements and is meant to protect the lender's investment. By including an alienation clause, the lender can ensure that they have a say in who can assume the mortgage if the property is sold or transferred. This is particularly important because the lender has assessed the borrower's creditworthiness and ability to repay the loan, and they may not want the risk associated with an unknown new borrower taking on the mortgage.

In the context of this question, the other options do not accurately reflect the purpose of the alienation clause. It does not prevent foreclosure, which is a process initiated when the borrower fails to make payments. It also does not relate to increasing the loan interest rate or releasing the borrower from liability, as these are governed by other terms in the mortgage agreement or specific laws. Thus, the primary role of an alienation clause is to restrict the transfer of property rights without lender approval.