What is the difference between a lease and a license?

A lease and a license are two different types of agreements that are commonly used in Massachusetts property law. A lease is an exclusive right to use certain property for a specific length of time, typically for a fee. During the lease term, the person or entity to whom the lease is granted has the sole right to use the property for the specified purpose. A leaseholder also has some of the legal rights of an owner, including the right to enjoy the property and the right to transfer the lease to someone else. A license, on the other hand, is a limited right to use certain property for a specific purpose. Unlike a lease, a license does not convey exclusive use of the property; instead, multiple people or entities may have licenses to use the same property. Further, a license does not give the licensee any of the legal rights of an owner – instead, the licensee is simply granted the right to use the property for the specified purpose. In summary, the main difference between a lease and a license is the exclusivity of the right to use the property. A lease grants the tenant exclusive rights to the property, while a license only grants the right to use the property for a specific purpose.

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