§490:1-203 Lease distinguished from
security interest. (a) Whether a transaction in the form of a lease
creates a lease or security interest is determined by the facts of each case.
(b) A transaction in the form of a lease creates a
security interest if the consideration that the lessee is to pay the lessor for
the right to possession and use of the goods is an obligation for the term of
the lease and is not subject to termination by the lessee, and:
(1) The original term of the lease is equal to or greater
than the remaining economic life of the goods;
(2) The lessee is bound to renew the lease for the
remaining economic life of the goods or is bound to become the owner of the
goods;
(3) The lessee has an option to renew the lease for
the remaining economic life of the goods for no additional consideration or for
nominal additional consideration upon compliance with the lease agreement; or
(4) The lessee has an option to become the owner of
the goods for no additional consideration or for nominal additional
consideration upon compliance with the lease agreement.
(c) A transaction in the form of a lease does not
create a security interest merely because:
(1) The present value of the consideration the lessee
is obligated to pay the lessor for the right to possession and use of the goods
is substantially equal to or is greater than the fair market value of the goods
at the time the lease is entered into;
(2) The lessee assumes risk of loss of the goods;
(3) The lessee agrees to pay, with respect to the
goods, taxes, insurance, filing, recording, or registration fees, or service or
maintenance costs;
(4) The lessee has an option to renew the lease or to
become the owner of the goods;
(5) The lessee has an option to renew the lease for a
fixed rent that is equal to or greater than the reasonably predictable fair
market rent for the use of the goods for the term of the renewal at the time
the option is to be performed; or
(6) The lessee has an option to become the owner of
the goods for a fixed price that is equal to or greater than the reasonably
predictable fair market value of the goods at the time the option is to be
performed.
(d) Additional consideration is nominal if it is
less than the lessee's reasonably predictable cost of performing under the
lease agreement if the option is not exercised. Additional consideration is
not nominal if:
(1) When the option to renew the lease is granted to
the lessee, the rent is stated to be the fair market rent for the use of the
goods for the term of the renewal determined at the time the option is to be
performed; or
(2) When the option to become the owner of the goods
is granted to the lessee, the price is stated to be the fair market value of
the goods determined at the time the option is to be performed.
(e) The "remaining economic life of the
goods" and "reasonably predictable" fair market rent, fair
market value, or cost of performing under the lease agreement shall be
determined with reference to the facts and circumstances at the time the
transaction is entered into. [L 2004, c 162, pt of §1]