For example, Bob buys a house off Richard, and makes a verbal promise to Richard that he would honour Sarah's tenancy in that house. The contract signed promises vacant possession (ie no tenancy) and Bob has made no contract with Sarah. Nonetheless a court will not enforce Bob's right to unilaterally terminate the tenancy because it is inconsistent with his earlier actions '''IF''' (and only if) Sarah has relied upon Bob's promise. In legal vernacular, Bob is ''estopped'' from denying a tenancy to Sarah. | For example, Bob buys a house off Richard, and makes a verbal promise to Richard that he would honour Sarah's tenancy in that house. The contract signed promises vacant possession (ie no tenancy) and Bob has made no contract with Sarah. Nonetheless a court will not enforce Bob's right to unilaterally terminate the tenancy because it is inconsistent with his earlier actions '''IF''' (and only if) Sarah has relied upon Bob's promise. In legal vernacular, Bob is ''estopped'' from denying a tenancy to Sarah. |