Legal Definitions - abatement clause

An abatement clause is a provision in a lease agreement that allows the tenant to stop paying rent if they are unable to use the property due to an "act of God" or other circumstances beyond their control. This clause is designed to protect tenants from financial losses if they are unable to use the property they are renting.

Here are some examples of situations where an abatement clause might come into play:

• A tenant rents a beach house for the summer, but a hurricane hits and damages the property. The abatement clause would allow the tenant to stop paying rent until the property is repaired and safe to occupy.
• A business rents a storefront in a shopping center, but a fire breaks out and damages the entire building. The abatement clause would allow the business to stop paying rent until the building is repaired and safe to occupy.

These examples illustrate how an abatement clause can protect tenants from financial losses due to circumstances beyond their control. Without this clause, tenants could be forced to continue paying rent for a property they are unable to use, which could be a significant financial burden.