What does lettable mean?
Lettable is an adjective describing property, buildings, rooms, or premises that can be rented or leased. It is often used in notices and commercial-property language, as in “lettable accommodation,” and may also indicate that a property is suitable for letting rather than merely available for sale. The word is particularly associated with British real-estate terminology, although it is understood in American English as well; “leasable” is more common there. Lettable differs from “available” in a useful way: it can imply that a property can practically and legally be offered to tenants. In this sense, it is not a term for an individual rental agreement, but for a space or property capable of being let. It is also frequently used in planning, development, and investment descriptions, such as “a site with 30 lettable apartments.”
adjectiveLettable means able or suitable to be rented or leased. It is most often used to describe property, premises, or space that is available for rental.
- Able or suitable to be rented or leased, especially as property or premises.
"The building has been converted into twelve lettable apartments."
"The ground floor is divided into three separate lettable units."
"Planning permission has been granted for twelve lettable homes on the site."
A lettable property does not merely exist on the market: it is legally and practically ready to be rented out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lettable come from?
Lettable was formed in the 19th century from the verb “let,” meaning to rent out, together with the suffix “-able,” meaning “able to be.” The verb “let” descends from Old English lætan, which had both the sense of allowing and the sense of granting or leasing property. Related forms include “lease” and “sublet,” while “lettable” has become especially common in British commercial-property and legal usage.
How lettable is actually used
Lettable is especially common in British property and commercial-estate contexts. In American usage, leasable is generally more frequent, although lettable is also understood.