Attorn for Dummies

Attorn is a word that might sound unfamiliar, but we can break it down into simpler terms to help you understand. Think of a situation where you have been living in a house that your parents rented. Then one day, your parents decide to move to a different city, but the landlord wants to keep renting the house. In this scenario, "attorn" refers to the process where you agree to recognize and accept a new landlord or owner of the property.

Okay, let's put it into a metaphorical context. Imagine you have a favorite toy car that you love playing with every single day. But one day, your parents tell you that your friend down the street wants to borrow your toy car because they really like playing with it. It's a bit like "attorning" your toy car to your friend, meaning you are giving them permission to use and enjoy your toy car, while still remaining the owner.

Now, let's dive a bit deeper into the various definitions of "attorn." Apart from the one I just explained, it can also mean something slightly different in the legal world. In a legal context, "attorn" is when a tenant agrees to recognize a new person as their landlord, usually due to a change in ownership or a transfer of property rights.

For example, imagine you are renting an apartment, and your current landlord sells the building to someone else. In this case, you may need to "attorn" to the new landlord, meaning you agree to accept them as your new landlord, pay rent to them, and follow their rules for living in the apartment.

So, to sum it all up, "attorn" means to agree to accept a new owner or landlord, either in a general sense or in a legal context. It's like passing on the responsibility or recognition to someone else while still remaining involved or affected by the situation. It's a specific term that we may not come across every day, but understanding it can help navigate certain situations and legal agreements.