Arrendat

Arrendat is a term used in Catalan-speaking contexts to denote a person who occupies property under a lease. The term translates roughly as tenant or lessee in English. The counterpart term arrendador refers to the landlord or lessor. The expression appears in legal texts, contracts, and historical accounts describing tenancy arrangements in both agricultural and urban settings.

In tenancy law, the arrendat is typically obligated to pay rent, use the property in accordance with the contract, and maintain the premises in reasonable condition. In many jurisdictions the arrendat also enjoys protections such as quiet enjoyment and defined limits on eviction. The arrendat may be restricted from subletting or altering the property without the arrendador’s consent, and the lease agreement usually specifies duration, renewal terms, and termination conditions. Specific rights and duties can vary by country and by contract, but the tenant generally bears responsibilities to meet payments, comply with applicable regulations, and preserve the property’s essential function.

Historically, arrendats played a central role in economies that relied on leased land or buildings, shaping social and economic relationships within agrarian and urban communities. The term reflects a broader system of tenancy in which property ownership and use were separated.

Etymology and usage: Arrendat derives from arrendar, the verb meaning to lease. In related Romance languages there are cognate terms for the tenant or lessee (for example arrendatario in some dialects), though exact forms and usage can differ regionally. See also arrendament (lease) and arrendador (landlord).