Lease - Definition, What is Lease, Advantages of Lease, and Latest News - ClearTax (2024)

Introduction

A lease refers to a contract where one party grants a right to use a property or land to another party in return for consideration and for a specific period of time. Both the parties enter into a lease agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the agreement. The party who owns the leased premises or property is the lessor. The party accepting the leased property is the lessee.

Understanding Lease

Lease agreements are legal documents and bind on the lessor and the lessee. The lease agreement sets forth the terms and conditions on the lease. The consideration for the lease and the period of the lease are part of the agreement. Other conditions include the responsibilities of the lessor and the lessee, deposit, due dates, consequences in case of violation of the lease.

The lease agreement guarantees the rights and obligations as between the lessor and lessee. Either party to the agreement can sue each other for non-performance of any terms and conditions of the agreement. The agreement also specifies the notice period for vacating the leased property.

One lease agreement may be different from the other. However, certain terms and conditions are the same, such as the clause on the amount of rent, names and address of the lessor and lessee, due dates, and notice period. The lessor and lessee both sign the lease agreement and date the same.

A lease agreement may be for a residential property or a commercial property. In the case of commercial properties, the lease agreements can contain complex terms and conditions. A commercial lease can be for the use of the premises with furniture and fittings. The agreement can be longer than the usual duration. There may be other conditions for the use of the property, including sub-letting to another party.

Conclusion

It is preferable that both the lessor and the lessee have an original copy of the lease agreement for records and reference purposes. The agreement is a legal document which facilitates resolution of disputes if any between the lessor and the lessee. The agreement generally requires the lessee to pay the utility charges. Certain leases have fixed terms, while others may allow for early termination of the lease.

Index

Lease - Definition, What is Lease, Advantages of Lease, and Latest News - ClearTax (2024)

FAQs

Lease - Definition, What is Lease, Advantages of Lease, and Latest News - ClearTax? ›

A lease refers to a contract where one party grants a right to use a property or land to another party in return for consideration and for a specific period of time. Both the parties enter into a lease agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the agreement.

What is leasing and its advantages? ›

The key benefit of a lease is that you don't need to pay everything upfront. Instead, your cash flow is spread over the term of the lease. It may even be possible to structure your payments to match the cash flow benefits you expect from the asset.

What is a simple definition of lease? ›

Key Takeaways. A lease is a legal, binding contract outlining the terms under which one party agrees to rent property owned by another party. It guarantees the tenant or lessee use of the property and guarantees the property owner or landlord regular payments for a specified period in exchange.

What is the biggest advantage of leasing? ›

The biggest advantage of leasing is the low initial investment. Instead of paying for the vehicle itself, you pay for the portion you use. There's no obligation to pay the full value, and the upfront payment is significantly lower.

What are the two major types of leases? ›

The two most common types of leases are operating leases and financing leases (also called capital leases). In order to differentiate between the two, one must consider how fully the risks and rewards associated with ownership of the asset have been transferred to the lessee from the lessor.

Is leasing good or bad? ›

Leasing helps protect you against unanticipated depreciation. If the market value of your car unexpectedly drops, your decision to lease will prove to be a wise financial move. If the leased car holds its value well, you can typically buy it at a good price at the end of the lease and keep it or decide to resell it.

Who benefits from leasing? ›

Leasing can be attractive if you're looking for lower monthly costs, want a new car with new car technology every few years, and don't want to worry about certain tasks, such as selling your car. Leasing can also put you into a luxury model that otherwise might be out of reach.

What is a lease in layman's terms? ›

A lease refers to a contract where one party grants a right to use a property or land to another party in return for consideration and for a specific period of time. Both the parties enter into a lease agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the agreement.

What is leasing vs. renting? ›

The main difference is the length of tenancy. A rental agreement is usually short term or month-to-month, while a lease is typically for a longer period of time, usually six months or more. Find out more about what it means to rent or lease and the pros and cons of each.

How do you explain leasing? ›

A car lease works by essentially renting a vehicle, rather than purchasing it outright with a loan or cash. Typically, you'll need to make an upfront down payment and monthly payments in exchange for the right to drive the car for several years.

What are two disadvantages of a lease? ›

Advantages of leasing include lower monthly payments, no long-term commitments, and minimal maintenance costs. Disadvantages include never owning the car, charges for damage or exceeding mileage limits, and restrictive terms and conditions.

Why is it better to buy than lease? ›

If you lease one car after another, monthly payments go on forever. By contrast, the longer you keep a vehicle after the loan is paid off, the more value you get out of it. Over the long term, the cheapest way to drive is to buy a car and keep it until it's uneconomical to repair.

Why do companies prefer to lease? ›

Manage Cash Flow

Being able to lease equipment without making a large down payment allows you to keep more of your cash in the bank. You can use the cash to make additional purchases or use it for operating expenses. Leasing can reduce your upfront costs of expansion and provide you with the cash flow you need.

What type of lease is best for a tenant? ›

Fixed-term lease

The tenant pays a fixed rental cost throughout the rental period. A fixed-term lease is great for landlords and tenants because they both can predict and rely on the fixed rental cost every month.

What is the purpose of the lease? ›

A lease refers to a contract where one party grants a right to use a property or land to another party in return for consideration and for a specific period of time. Both the parties enter into a lease agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Which type of lease is the most common for residential property? ›

In a gross lease, the tenant pays a fixed price for rent, and the landlord is responsible for all operating expenses. This is the type of lease most common for residential properties and multifamily real estate because it is considered tenant-friendly.

Why leasing is better than renting? ›

Stability is the key advantage of a lease. You're entitled to stay in your home through the duration of the contract. It's an ideal arrangement for someone who knows they want to stay in a place long-term. No rent increases.

What are the purposes of leasing? ›

Lease rentals are fixed for the full term so you will know how much your equipment will cost you every month. Maintenance can be incorporated into the lease if a service contract is available from your supplier.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each leasing and buying? ›

Leasing offers advantages such as lower upfront costs, flexibility, and bundled maintenance, while buying assets provides long-term cost savings, ownership equity, and customization options. Ultimately, the choice depends on factors such as capital availability, anticipated usage, and industry dynamics.

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