What is it?
Clause type | It governs deviations from the original terms stipulated in written or oral agreements, such as sales contracts under UCC § 2-207.
accommodation
Contract LawLegal glossary term
Quick answer
Accommodation usually means a modification or concession granted within an agreement. In contracts, it matters because it changes your original duties, potentially altering liability when things go wrong. Before signing, check if the change is written down clearly.
Definitions
What is accommodation?
Legal Definition
An accommodation describes a modification made to an original obligation or agreement, often granting a concession for another party's benefit. This alteration creates a new duty or relieves an existing one, thereby altering the scope of rights and responsibilities under the contract. The critical qualifier here is whether the change was expressly agreed upon or merely implied by conduct.
Plain-English Translation
It's like when your friend promises to help you study for a test but then agrees to do it on Saturday instead of Friday—that switch is the accommodation.
Contract relevance
Why accommodation matters in contracts
Ignoring the necessity for proper accommodation can void a contract entirely or lead to a breach of warranty claim. The party who fails to accommodate bears the risk of liability.
Document context
Where accommodation appears in documents
| Document type | Section | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Master Service Agreement | Exhibit B (Scope of Work) | Determines if scope creep is permissible without renegotiation. |
| Lease Agreement | Lease Amendment Section | Defines concessions like allowing pets or changing rent terms. |
| Purchase Order | Terms and Conditions | Dictates specific modifications to the standard goods delivery obligation. |
| Settlement Stipulation | Release Clauses | Shows how a party agreed to modify their claim against another. |
| Employment Contract | Duties & Responsibilities | Identifies changes in job functions granted by an employer. |
Contract language
Common contract wording
| Contract wording | Plain-English meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Subject to written accommodation of Seller... | A change requires the seller's explicit sign-off. | Ensure any verbal agreement is documented immediately. |
| The Buyer grants a temporary accommodation for... | The buyer agrees to a short-term deviation from the standard terms. | Check the expiration date of this concession. |
| In reliance upon the implied accommodation by Seller... | A change happened based on conduct, not a signed clause. | Determine if you can enforce that unwritten promise. |
Red flags
Red flags to watch for
Wording examples
Clearer wording examples
Vague wording
"Employer may modify duties at its discretion"
Clearer wording
"Employer may modify duties only after documented undue hardship analysis"
Vague wording
"Accommodation shall not affect business operations"
Clearer wording
"Accommodation shall not impose a cost exceeding 5% of annual operating budget"
Note: “clearer” means easier to read — not legally reviewed or guaranteed safe.
Pre-signature checklist
What to check before signing
1
Is the specific modification clearly described?
2
Who has the authority to grant this accommodation?
3
What is the effective date of the change?
4
Does this accommodation relieve any existing duties?
5
Is there a specified expiration date for the concession?
6
If it's implied, does your conduct support this interpretation?
Party impact
How accommodation affects each party
| Party | What this party should check |
|---|---|
| Seller | Check if you are giving up leverage or restricting future sale options. |
| Buyer | Verify that the granted concessions meet your actual business needs and expectations. |
| Tenant | Confirm the accommodation doesn't just shift repair responsibility to you. |
| Employer | Ensure changes in duties match compensation structure (salary/bonus). |
| Service Provider | Validate that scope alterations are properly compensated. |
Comparison
accommodation vs similar terms
| Related term | Plain meaning | Main difference from accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Waiver | Giving up a known right entirely, rather than modifying an obligation. | Accommodation *changes* the duty; waiver lets you drop it. |
| Indemnification | A promise to cover another party's loss from a specific event. | An accommodation is a general change; indemnification is risk coverage. |
| Modification | The broad term for any change; accommodation is a *type* of modification granting benefit. | Accommodation implies a concession/benefit flow, while modification is just the alteration itself. |
Missing or vague
If accommodation is missing or vague
If 'accommodation' isn't defined, disputes often arise over whether the change was formal or casual. A party might claim an implied promise existed when only a handshake occurred. Furthermore, ambiguity stalls negotiations because each side assumes different limitations on their duties. This vagueness can lead to costly litigation arguing intent.
Document map
Document section map
| Contract section | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| Definitions Section | Look for a specific definition of 'Accommodation' and its scope. |
| Scope of Work/Services | Check here for modifications to the deliverables promised. |
| Representations & Warranties | See if an accommodation alters what each party guarantees about their status or performance. |
| Indemnification Clause | Inspect this section to see how accommodations affect who pays when things go wrong. |
Visual model
Understand accommodation fast
01
Landlord agrees to accommodate tenant's request for a pet allowance; outcome is modified lease term.
02
Borrower secures accommodation from lender regarding principal repayment schedule; outcome is extended loan term.
03
Seller grants accommodation on delivery date due to supply shortage; outcome is penalty waiver.
Document context
How accommodation shows up in legal documents
Why does it matter?
Ignoring the necessity for proper accommodation can void a contract entirely or lead to a breach of warranty claim. The party who fails to accommodate bears the risk of liability.
When does it matter?
This concept triggers when an unexpected circumstance arises, like a material delay in delivery or a change in market pricing, requiring negotiation.
Where is it usually seen?
It appears frequently within Purchase Orders (POs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and lease agreements filed with local municipal records.
Who is affected?
The tenant gains the right to modified use; the landlord assumes the obligation of providing that modification. A borrower receives relief from a missed payment deadline.
How does it work?
First, one party identifies the need for change. Then, they propose the specific alteration—the accommodation itself. Finally, if accepted, both parties are bound by the new, agreed-upon terms.
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Wikipedia
Accommodation
Accommodation may refer to: A dwelling A place for temporary lodging An approach to negotiation and conflict resolution Reasonable accommodation, a legal doctrine protecting religious minorities or people with disabilities Accommodation (religion), a...
Open on Wikipedia →Knowledge graph
Where accommodation connects to real contract work
This layer links the term to nearby glossary entries, document use cases, and contract-risk guides so readers can move from definition to context without dead ends.
9nodes
Glossarywarrantywarranty often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the clause around i...Glossarypurchase orderpurchase order often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the clause ar...Glossaryagreementagreement often shapes similar contract language wording, negotiation leverage, and the plain-English meaning of the clause around...
BGRisk context hubGlossary meaning, document paths, and adjacent risk pages connected around this clause.
Use caseChange RequestProject Management: Every undocumented change is a future dispute waiting to happen.Use casePurchase Order (PO)Finance & Sales: A purchase order is a contract. Its terms govern your delivery, payment, and liability.Use caseLease AgreementLegal & Corporate: Your lease is a 12-month financial commitment — read every line.RiskFinancial liability in contractsPlain-English risk guide for financial liability in contracts.RiskFinancial obligations clause riskPlain-English risk guide for financial obligations clause risk.RiskFreelancer indemnity clause riskPlain-English risk guide for freelancer indemnity clause risk.
Source & disclosure
This page is an AI-assisted plain-English explanation based on LexPredict Legal Dictionary context and contract-review patterns. It is not legal advice. Meaning may vary by jurisdiction, industry, and exact clause wording.
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