Use (In a Lease)

The word use, when used in a lease, stipulates how the property is going to be used by the tenant. In a commercial lease, the business owner indicates what specific type of use is needed to operate the business. For example, the owner of an ice cream parlor is likely to indicate that the particular use of the leased space is to store frozen ice cream, dispense ice cream, and to offer a small seating area for patrons. An apartment lease may stipulate that the use of the property is restricted to residential use and that operating a business is prohibited. Tenants of commercial properties can generally revise the use section of the lease if business needs change. Landlords may keep the language general in order to accommodate a tenant's ability to expand their business operations.