Legal Definitions - onerous contract

An onerous contract is a type of contract that imposes a heavy burden or obligation on one of the parties involved. It is a contract that is disadvantageous or costly for one party to fulfill.

For example, if a person signs a contract to purchase a car that requires them to make monthly payments that are more than they can afford, it would be considered an onerous contract. The burden of making the payments would be too heavy for the person to bear.

Another example of an onerous contract is a lease agreement that requires a tenant to pay for all repairs and maintenance of the property, even if they are not responsible for the damage. This type of contract places a heavy burden on the tenant and is considered unfair.

In summary, an onerous contract is a contract that is unfair or burdensome for one party to fulfill. It is important to carefully review and understand the terms of a contract before signing it to avoid being bound by an onerous contract.