A tenant is someone who pays rent to live in or use a property that belongs to someone else. When your family rents an apartment instead of owning it, you're tenants. The person who owns the building is called the landlord, and tenants pay them monthly rent in exchange for the right to live there.

Tenants don't own the place they're living in, but they have important rights. They can decorate their space, invite friends over, and treat it like home. However, they usually need permission before making big changes, like painting walls or getting a pet. When the lease (the rental agreement) ends, tenants might renew it, or they might move somewhere else.

You might hear about “tenant farmers” who rent farmland to grow crops, or “commercial tenants” who rent storefronts for their businesses.

Being a good tenant means paying rent on time, following the building's rules, and taking care of the property. Being a good landlord means maintaining the building, respecting tenants' privacy, and treating them fairly. When both sides uphold their responsibilities, the arrangement works well for everyone.