Leases - demise

[Barquentine]

Why does the demise contain the words ' to hold unto the Tenant'? Why doesn't it say: the Landlord demises the Premises to the Tenant (or to be held by the Tenant). What on earth does 'to hold unto'...mean?

[Nether Edge]

The "to hold" bit is called the tenendum.
"Unto" is a bit unnecessary, but the purpose of the text is to show that the L is letting T hold a lease of the property.
By equipping T with the leasehold estate, L sort of devolves control to T until lease ends (term expiry, contination periodic tenancy termination, or earlier termination (by agreement or on grounds of breach) during fixed term).

[Barquentine]

Thanks, Nether Edge. I think those old leases were drafted by lawyers who must have been paid by the word! They almost seem intended to demand added majesty and gravitas by the convoluted prolix terminology, although plain English sometimes takes simplification too far.

[Nether Edge]

Lawyers? What about your own posting for superfluous words?
I can summarise it as follows:

Thanks, Nether Edge. Payment by word means longer text, perhaps just to impress by length! Plain English is better but loses subtle meanings and nuances.
[25 words v. your 43]

[Barquentine]

Thanks again, Nether!

It was tongue-in-cheek & intentional. Glad you noticed!

Barquentine