What is the difference between a lease and a license?

A lease and a license are two different legal arrangements used for property ownership and occupancy in California. A lease is a written agreement that allows someone to rent or use property for a specific length of time, often accompanied by a payment of money or other consideration. When the lease is signed and executed, the lessee has a right to exclusive possession of the property, meaning they have the right to exclude anyone else from the property. A license, on the other hand, is a permission or privilege that someone is granted to do something that would otherwise be illegal, such as enter another person’s property or use their property or services. A licensor grants a licensee the right to use their property or services, but the licensee does not have exclusive possession of the property, as they do with a lease. The licensor still owns and controls the property, and the licensee does not have the right to assign the license to someone else. Additionally, a license is created for a very specific purpose and lasts for a shorter period of time than a lease.

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