possessee

A possessee is a person who has possession of property, meaning they have physical control or occupancy of the item, regardless of whether they hold legal title. The term is used in property law, bailment, and related contexts to distinguish the holder of possession from the owner.

In many legal systems, possession is a factual state that can affect rights and duties. The possessee may have the right to use the property within the scope of the possession agreement or applicable law and may be obliged to take reasonable care of the property and to return it when required, such as at the end of a lease or bailment. The owner or bailor retains title, while the possessee exercises control. The law can protect a possessee against wrongful dispossession and may recognize possessory rights even without full ownership.

Differences among related terms: possession versus title; possessee versus possessor. The possessor is a broader term for a person who has control, whereas the possessee is specifically the one who is in possession, often under a contractual arrangement such as a lease or bailment. In some jurisdictions, extended or exclusive possession may lead to adverse possession and potential acquisition of title, subject to statutory requirements.

Examples include a tenant who is the possessee of a rented apartment, or a bailee who is the possessee of goods placed in their custody. The term highlights the reality of control independent of ownership.