tenancy

[ten-uhn-see]

noun

plural

tenancies 

1. a holding, as of lands, by any kind of title; occupancy of land, a house, or the like, under a lease or on payment of rent; tenure.

2. the period of a tenant's occupancy.

3. occupancy or enjoyment of a position, post, situation, etc..

   her tenancy as professor of history at the state university.

4. Archaic.,  a piece of land held by a tenant; holding.

tenancy

/ ˈtɛnənsɪ /

noun

1. the temporary possession or holding by a tenant of lands or property owned by another

2. the period of holding or occupying such property

3. the period of holding office, a position, etc

4. property held or occupied by a tenant

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenancy¹

First recorded in 1570–80; ten(ant) + -ancy; compare Medieval Latin tenantia, variant of tenentia

Example Sentences

Undergraduates still settling into university life have to quickly commit to a joint tenancy with fellow freshers they barely know to guarantee a roof over their head the following September.

Read more on BBC

The changes also see the end of fixed-term tenancy contracts, as renters move onto so-called "rolling" agreements, as well as an end to "bidding wars" and clearer rules on having pets.

Read more on BBC

Tenants are responsible for ensuring they have a TV licence unless their tenancy agreement says their landlord will provide it.

Read more on BBC

Letting agents Harvey & Wheeler said the property manager responsible for applying for the licence on her behalf had "suddenly resigned" before the tenancy began.

Read more on BBC

Scotland has had periodic agreements for tenancies since 2017, but Wales and Northern Ireland still allow fixed term contracts.

Read more on BBC