Legal Lingua: Tenant, Licensee, Squatter

Words like squatter, tenant are used loosely to describe occupants in Jamaica WI. However when you approach the Court, for action against any occupant, you need to be very sure what category the occupant falls under, or your case can be thrown out.
Civil court is about procedure and from the onset it is important to know the basics to set the proceedings right.
Here’s a brief description on who a squatter, tenant and licensee are.

TENANT:
refers to anyone or any group that rents and occupies premises whether land, a house, an office, from another for a period of time. Tenants can be commercial or residential. A tenant can also be a lessee.

LICENSEE:
refers basically to anyone or group of persons who enter and occupy premises with the permission of the person or persons with authority to do so, but pays no rent. Examples include a relative or a friend.

SQUATTER:
refers to someone who having entered premises without expressed permission and in some cases without the knowledge of the owner, remains/ settles pass the time of being considered a trespasser under civil law.
*The squatter unlike the tenant and licensee has no contractual obligations.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
EDITOR’S NOTES:
The above does not constitute legal advice. Inhouse senior journalists research and discuss with specialists eg attorneys-at-law, as necessary before posting responses. In conclusion, names are changed at times by request.

FOR PHYSICAL WORK:

For attorney-support services (including research, documentation, collections, legwork, agent, property overseer, housesitter, follow ups et al) in Jamaica you may call 876-530-5744 or 305-648-6963 or simply write to legalwizwork@yahoo.com to make private arrangements beyond the commitment of this mediahouse.
Critically the Legal Wiz networks professionals from fields in the interest of all Jamaicans and persons relating with Jamaicans.
Physical office is at Suite # 1, 3 South Avenue, Swallowfield, Kingston 5, Jamaica West Indies. Rates may apply. See more

Author Profile

LegalWiz

... a team of professional experts, mostly Jamaicans, from varied fields including as priority paralegal, investigation, research, real estate, construction, arts (literary, visual, performing, culinary) and entertainment, certified Attorneys (civil and criminal law). Information is researched, then published, on this site, in the interest of the wider public.
Link me here
***
Click here for more about us