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.

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

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.