# tenancy

/ˈtɛnənsi/ (US) · /tˈɛnənsi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tenancy
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

the legal right to live in or use a building or land that you rent from a landlord. It also refers to the period of time you stay there.

For teachers: the possession or occupancy of lands or buildings by title, under a lease, or on payment of rent. Refers both to the legal status of the occupant and the duration of the occupancy.

## Examples

- The landlord offered us a one-year tenancy.
- Before moving in, the students had to sign a formal agreement that outlined the rules of their joint tenancy.
- The legal dispute centered on whether the occupant had established a secure tenancy through long-term residence or was merely a short-term licensee with fewer protections against eviction.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the tenancy of the house is high" but "the rent of the house is high" — Learners sometimes confuse 'tenancy' (the right to occupy) with 'rent' (the payment for that right).

## Usage notes

- Often used in the phrase 'joint tenancy' or 'tenancy agreement'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.