Käyttöomistaja

Käyttöomistaja is a Finnish term that translates to "usufructuary" or "holder of beneficial use" in English. It refers to a legal right that grants a person the right to use and benefit from property that belongs to another person. This right is typically established through a contract or will.

The core of käyttöomistus is the separation of ownership (omistusoikeus) from the right to use and derive income from the property. The owner retains legal title, but the käyttöomistaja has the authority to live in a property, cultivate land, or collect rent from it. However, the käyttöomistaja is generally not allowed to sell, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of the property itself. Their rights are limited to the use and fruits of the property.

This legal arrangement is common in inheritance law, where a surviving spouse might be granted käyttöomistus of the marital home while the ownership is passed on to children. It can also be used in other situations where the intention is to provide someone with the means to live or generate income from an asset without giving them full ownership and control. The specific terms and limitations of the käyttöomistus are usually detailed in the legal document creating the right. When the käyttöomistus expires, for example, upon the death of the beneficiary or at a specified time, the full ownership rights revert to the original owner or their heirs.