Legal Definitions - alba firma

Alba firma (also known as white rent) refers to a historical type of rent that was paid in silver or other monetary currency, as opposed to rent paid in goods, services, or labor. It signifies a fixed, non-variable payment made in money for the use of property.

• Example 1: Historical Land Lease
  In 17th-century England, a landowner leases a small farm to a tenant. Instead of requiring the tenant to provide a portion of the harvest or labor on the lord's fields, the agreement stipulates a payment of ten pounds sterling annually.

  Explanation: This payment of ten pounds sterling is a direct monetary sum, fitting the definition of alba firma because it is a fixed payment in currency rather than goods or services.

• Example 2: Modern Ground Lease
  A developer builds a new housing community where homeowners purchase their houses but lease the land beneath them from the developer for a fixed annual fee of $800.

  Explanation: The $800 annual fee is a consistent monetary payment for the use of the land, illustrating alba firma as a fixed financial obligation for property use, even in a modern context where the term is less commonly used.

• Example 3: Commercial Property Lease
  A small retail shop signs a lease agreement for its storefront, agreeing to pay $2,200 each month to the landlord. This payment covers the use of the commercial space.

  Explanation: The monthly $2,200 payment is a clear, fixed monetary sum paid for the occupancy of the property, directly aligning with the concept of alba firma as rent paid in money.