Don't Use Latin Phrases in Lease

Avoid using Latin phrases—such as, ipso facto and inter alia—in your leases. Instead, use English words that mean the same thing. For instance, instead of saying “ipso facto,” say “of itself” or “by the mere fact.” And instead of saying “inter alia,” say “among other things.” This should help make your leases easier to read and understand.

Many owners and tenants don’t know what some or all of the Latin phrases used in leases mean. And if the person reading the lease doesn’t know their meaning, that person won’t understand what the lease is trying to say. Simply substituting English for Latin can help decrease the risk of misinterpretations and disputes later on.