What is an estoppel certificate?

An estoppel certificate is a document used in real estate transactions, particularly in leasing and mortgage activities. It is a statement from a tenant or a mortgage borrower confirming the current status and terms of their lease or mortgage. This document is often requested by a landlord, a lender, or a potential buyer to verify the status of the lease or mortgage, such as confirming that the lease is in effect, the rent amount, the absence of defaults, and that no modifications have been made to the original agreement. The estoppel certificate serves to prevent either party in the transaction (typically the tenant or borrower) from later claiming a different set of facts or terms, as they have already formally acknowledged the current status through this document.