07/06/2026
Tenant
A tenant is a person or organization that occupies or uses a property owned by another person (the landlord) in exchange for rent under an agreement called a tenancy.
Types of Tenancy
Tenancy at Will
The tenant occupies the property with the landlord's consent.
There is no fixed duration.
Either party can terminate the arrangement at any time, usually with reasonable notice.
Periodic Tenancy
Runs for a specific period and renews automatically.
Examples include weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly tenancy.
Continues until either party gives proper notice to terminate.
Fixed-Term Tenancy
Has a definite start and end date.
Example: a one-year lease agreement.
Neither party can end the tenancy before the expiration date unless permitted by the agreement or law.
Tenancy at Sufferance (Holdover Tenancy)
Occurs when a tenant remains in possession after the tenancy has expired without the landlord's consent.
The landlord may choose to evict the tenant or accept rent and create a new tenancy.
Sub-Tenancy
A tenant rents part or all of the rented property to another person (sub-tenant), usually with the landlord's permission.
The original tenant remains responsible to the landlord.
Key Parties in a Tenancy
Landlord: Owner of the property.
Tenant: Person renting the property.
Sub-tenant: Person renting from the tenant rather than directly from the landlord.
Understanding the type of tenancy is important because it determines the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant, including rent payment, notice requirements, and termination procedures.
