Words / B1

LEES/liːs/

A lease is a legal agreement to use a building or land for a fixed time in return for rent. To lease is the verb. Rent is the money (and the everyday verb); tenancy is a close twin for homes. GP surgeries: on a short lease, so the practice may move.

Meaning

A legal agreement to use a building or land for a fixed time in return for rent.

Examples

• “The surgery is on a short lease, so the GP may move.”
• “They lease the scanners rather than buy them, which is the verb.”

Good to know

on a lease; a short / long lease. Verb: lease. Everyday money: rent. Homes: a tenancy. NHS estates / shops. Not a synonym of buy.

Near in meaning

tenancy

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