peppercorn rent

[tali122]

peppercorn rent - i know what it is - but where does the phrase originate from as it doesnt seem to bear relation to the term

[jno]

back in the middle ages, land (or whatever) that was basically let for free might actually have a notional rent of one peppercorn per year.

[acw]

Yes, jno is correct as usual! :-)  You clearly understand what the term means in legal parlance nowadays, and its origins are simply literally what it says.  A nice Ronseal Legal Term - a rare gem! :-)

[Solarjunkie]

In the deeds to our (very old) house it actually states a rent of four peppercorns a year - don't forget spices were rare and exotic items when they had to come from so far away in a little leaky boat!

[jno]

good point Solarjunkie; it's not another way of saying 'nothing' - but given that it's just one peppercorn, it's pretty much a legal minimum. The idea was that as long as some rent was paid the property was leasehold not freehold.

[acw]

And as we all understand here, the point really is just that there must be SOME consideration for a contreact to be valid. 

Although here http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_027094-03.hcsp is a suggestion that peppercorn rent means rent FREE.  Now I'm totally confused.  And look at the website - should be a reliable source!  Someone please clarify.  :-)

[Quizmonster]

One of the earliest references to "a peppercorn rent" from 1616 - mentions a new lease for one hundred years and reads: "...and shall yearly pay a peppercorn, a nut, a bunch of may or some such trifle."
It's obviously just by chance, therefore, that we speak of a 'peppercorn rent' rather than a 'may rent' or a 'nut rent'...all being equally 'trifling'.

[jno]

technically, acw, that site says the holder of a peppercorn rent won't have to pay any money...but doesn't mention vegetable products!

[acw]

True true!  I just thought the implication was a bit risky. 

[tali122]

i hope this thread wasnt moronic for you

[jno]

peace, tali, you asked a question, acw gave you a straight answer, no need to resurrect old disagreements

[tali122]

disagreement? no just a resurrection fetishist