tenantatwill

Tenantatwill, also written as tenant at will, refers to a form of tenancy in which a person occupies land or premises with the owner's permission but without a lease or a fixed term. The arrangement is typically indefinite, lasting only while the owner consents to the occupancy. Either party may end the tenancy on reasonable notice, and there is generally no security of tenure beyond the notice period.

Creation and scope: A tenancy at will may arise by express agreement—whether written or oral—or by the conduct of the parties when occupation is allowed without a term. In many systems the tenant has exclusive possession, but there is no long-term commitment or defined end date. Payment of rent does not automatically create a tenancy at will in all jurisdictions; in some places rent receipts may convert the arrangement to a periodic tenancy.

Legal status and distinctions: Tenancy at will is distinct from fixed-term tenancies, from periodic tenancies arising by ongoing rent payments, and from tenancy at sufferance (holdover without landlord consent). The precise termination rules, required notice, and tenant protections vary by jurisdiction and may be largely historical in modern contexts.

Modern relevance: In contemporary practice, tenantatwill arrangements are less common and are often replaced by more formal arrangements, such as month-to-month leases, in many jurisdictions. When they exist, they offer greater flexibility to the landlord and less security for the tenant, with termination typically requiring notice.