Implied Condition

In one sentence

A requirement not written in a contract but understood to be part of the deal.

Plain English

An implied condition is something the law or common sense says must be true for a contract to work, even though the parties didn't spell it out. Courts infer these conditions based on what reasonable people would expect. For instance, if you hire a plumber to fix your sink, there's an implied condition that the plumber will actually show up and do the work competently—you don't need to write that down.

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Example

You buy a sandwich from a restaurant with the implied condition that the food is safe to eat and hasn't been poisoned or contaminated. The restaurant doesn't need to write this down; it's automatically expected as part of selling food.

Used in a sentence

“The court found an implied condition in the lease that the landlord would maintain the property in habitable condition.”

Related terms

Constructive Condition

A requirement implied by law that must be satisfied before a party's duty to perform arises.

Express Condition

A requirement clearly stated in a contract that must happen for obligations to arise.

Implied-in-Fact Contract

A contract inferred from the parties' conduct and the circumstances of their dealings.

Objective Theory of Contracts

The legal rule that contract meaning is based on what a reasonable person would understand, not secret thoughts.

Merchant

A person or business that regularly buys and sells goods of a particular kind.

Obligation

A legal duty that a party must perform under a contract or law.

Offer

A proposal to enter into a binding agreement on specific terms.

Acceptance

Agreeing to the exact terms of an offer, creating a binding contract.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.