Types of Tenancies

Tenancies are generally created by agreement of a landowner and a tenant.  There are generally at least four distinct types of tenancies.

The terminology for the types of tenancies and their defining characteristics vary by jurisdiction.  Thus a periodic tenancy in one jurisdiction may be referred to as a tenancy at will in some jurisdictions.  Beyond semantics, a tenant at sufferance is usually defined to mean a “holdover” tenant, while in some jurisdictions it is defined as one who entered without the permission of the owner.[1]

Each type of tenancy is described in more detail elsewhere in linked notes.

1.                  Tenancy at Will

2.                  Tenancy for Years

3.                  Periodic Tenancy

4.                  Tenancy at Sufferance


[1] See generally, Schoshinski, Chpt.2.

Posted in Nature of Landlord-Tenant Relationship.