In law, an agreement in principle is a stepping stone to a contract. Such agreements with regard to the principle are usually considered fair and equitable. Even if not all details are known, an agreement in principle may, for example, outline a schedule of royalties.
What is an Agreement in Principle? An Agreement in Principle (AIP) confirms how much you could borrow from a lender before you apply for a mortgage. You might also know them as a mortgage in principle, decision in principle or mortgage offer in principle.
"Principal" implies that the agreement includes all the important terms and therefore has legal effect, whereas "principle" sounds more like "in theory".
Real-Life Example Imagine two companies, Alpha Corp. and Beta Inc., negotiating a business partnership. They agree on the main terms of their collaboration, such as the division of responsibilities, profit sharing, and project timelines. This initial understanding forms an agreement in principle.
The agreement is considered a preliminary step and not a final, enforceable contract.
Typically it means that all parties have agreed to the terms of the settlement, but have not signed anything yet.
“Term sheets”, “letters of intent”, “memoranda of understanding” and “agreements in principle” may constitute an enforceable agreement if the writing includes all the essential terms of an agreement. This is so even if “the parties intended to negotiate a 'fuller agreement'”.
A mortgage Agreement in Principle isn't legally binding and does not guarantee that the mortgage will be offered, even when applying with the same lender.
You can get more than one Decision in Principle from different lenders. Having a Decision in Principle from different lenders could give you more options when you come to apply for a mortgage.
How do I get a mortgage Agreement in Principle? It's usually a simple process that you can do with a mortgage provider either online, over the phone or face to face. You should receive a decision within around 15 minutes, depending on your circumstances.