In Street v Mountford (1985), the court ruled that exclusive possession for a term at a rent establishes a tenancy, regardless of the agreement's label, ensuring tenant protections under the Rent Acts, and focusing on substance over form.
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🏛️ Court: House of Lords 🗓️ Judgment Date: 2 May 1985 🗂️ Where Reported: [1985] A.C. 809; [1985] 2 All E.R. 289 📍 Jurisdiction: United Kingdom
⚖️ Legal Principles
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Exclusive Possession Defines Tenancy: The ruling clarified that exclusive possession granted for a payment term typically constitutes a tenancy, regardless of the agreement's terminology suggesting it's a license.