What is the difference between an usufruct and a lease?

Usufruct is a legal right allowing a person to use and enjoy the benefits of someone else's property without owning it, typically for a specified period, while still preserving the property's substance. In contrast, a lease is a contractual agreement where one party pays another for the right to use and occupy a property for a designated time, usually involving a rental payment. The key difference lies in the nature of rights granted; usufruct includes both enjoyment and use, whereas a lease primarily focuses on use in exchange for rent. Additionally, usufruct can be more permanent and may transfer with ownership, while leases are typically temporary and specific to the terms of the contract.