Legal Definitions - sine animo remanendi

Sine animo remanendi is a Latin legal phrase that translates to without the intention of remaining. It describes a situation where an individual is present in a particular place or occupies property, but crucially, does not have any desire or plan to stay there permanently or indefinitely. This concept is often relevant in legal contexts concerning residency, domicile, or property possession, where a person's intent regarding their stay can have significant legal implications.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Temporary Guest: Imagine a person staying in a hotel room for a two-week vacation. While they are physically present and occupying the room, they are there sine animo remanendi. They have no intention of making the hotel their permanent home; their stay is temporary, and they fully expect to check out and leave at the end of their booked period. Their actions and plans clearly demonstrate a lack of intent to remain permanently.

• Construction Site Occupation: Consider a construction company that temporarily places a portable office trailer and stores building materials on a vacant lot next to their active project for a few months. The company is occupying the land, but their presence is sine animo remanendi. They intend to remove the trailer and materials and vacate the lot once the construction project is completed. They are not claiming permanent ownership or a right to stay indefinitely on that vacant lot.

• Student Housing: A university student lives in a campus dormitory for the duration of the academic year. Although they reside there for several months, their presence in the dorm is sine animo remanendi. They understand that their occupancy is tied to their enrollment and will end when the academic year concludes, at which point they will move out, either returning to a family home or finding new, off-campus housing. They do not intend for the dorm room to be their permanent residence.