Legal Definitions - lessee

A lessee is an individual or entity who obtains the temporary right to use and possess property owned by another party, known as the lessor, through a formal agreement called a lease. This agreement grants the lessee specific rights and responsibilities for the duration of the lease term. When the property involved is real estate, the lessee is commonly referred to as a tenant.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a lessee:

• Residential Apartment Rental: Maria signs a one-year agreement to live in a two-bedroom apartment. She pays monthly rent to the property owner and agrees to abide by the building's rules.

  In this scenario, Maria is the lessee (or tenant) because she has entered into a lease agreement that grants her temporary possession and the right to use the apartment, which is owned by the landlord (the lessor), for a specified period.

• Commercial Office Space: A marketing firm, "Creative Solutions Inc.," signs a five-year lease to occupy an entire floor of an office building in a business district.

  Creative Solutions Inc. is the lessee. They have secured the temporary right to use the office space for their business operations, as outlined in the lease agreement with the building owner (the lessor).

• Vehicle Lease: David enters into a three-year contract to lease a new car from an automobile dealership. He makes monthly payments and agrees to return the car at the end of the term, or purchase it.

  David is the lessee because he has temporary possession and the right to use the car, which is owned by the dealership (the lessor), for the agreed-upon period and under the conditions specified in the lease contract.