The lessee is referred to as the tenant when real estate is being leased. When the structure of a lease is essentially debt, the lessee may instead be referred to as the debtor in the arrangement. It originated in Middle English, where it was adapted from the French verb lesser, which means to lease.

  • I was never quite sure on the difference between the definition of lessor and lessee, but this sorted it right out for me.
  • During the contract, the lessor retains the right of ownership of the property and is entitled to receive periodic payments from the lessee based on their initial agreement.
  • Lessees, however, are required to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset at the commencement of the lease term.
  • Through this blog, you will be able to understand the meaning of lessor and lessee and tell the difference between the two entities as far as leases and lease management is concerned.

Since, in the West all types of renting – residential and commercial – are lease-based, the common terminology for renting a place is ‘leasing’. In India, however, ‘leasing’ denotes renting of commercial spaces, and ‘renting’ is used for residential properties. Disputes in the “lessor vs. lessee” relationship can arise for various reasons — failure to pay rent, property damage, or other terms of the lease being broken. The first step is generally for both parties to review the lease agreement, as it will typically specify how disputes should be resolved. Many issues can often be resolved through open and honest communication. A deep dive into the world of ‘lessor vs. lessee,’ akin to two characters from a legal drama series whose roles, orientations, and purposes intertwine in the property rental stage play.

In our car example, a lessee would be the individual or entity to whom the car is on loan from the dealer or property owner. The lessor is also known as the landlord in lease agreements that deal with property or real estate. This type of agreement is implemented based on the understanding that the seller will immediately lease back the asset from the buyer, subject to an agreed payment rate and period of payment. The buyer in this type of transaction may be a leasing company, finance company, insurance company, individual investor, or institutional investor. For the duration of the lease period, the lessee is responsible for taking care of the asset and conducting regular maintenance as necessary.

How a Lessee Works

In a lessee vs. lessor agreement, the lessee has the right to use the leased property or equipment for the duration of the lease agreement. In return, they are obligated to make timely lease payments as outlined in the agreement, typically maintaining the asset and making sure it is in good condition, barring normal wear and tear. This type of arrangement usually occurs in a commercial context—when leasing large industrial equipment, for example. But it is also common in a consumer context with automobiles, and even with residential real estate. The lease agreement that they enter into with another party is binding on both the lessor and the lessee and spells out the rights and obligations of both parties.

  • The lessee may occupy or physically possess the property during the lease term, but they never own it.
  • Sticking to a residential lease, the lessee does not own their home but instead pays their landlord for its use.
  • In any proposed “lessor vs. lessee” lease amendment, the impact on both parties should be thoroughly evaluated.
  • To know the exact difference between the two, read our complete guide on lease versus rent.

This also includes any payments made to the lessor at or before the time of commencement of the lease and minus any lease incentives received from the lessor. The lease asset is then amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life of the underlying asset. A lessee is the person or legal entity leasing the asset provided by the lessor. A lessee in a lease agreement is responsible for making a payment or payment to the lessor for using the asset named in the lease agreement, such as an apartment or a storefront. In a lease, the lessor is the party who owns the property and allows the lessee to access and use the unit in exchange for rent.

Who Is the Lessor in a Lease Agreement?

If you have any questions about the content of this publication, or if you would like more information about partnering with HoganTaylor Lease Accounting, please contact one of our experts. If you ever find yourself stuck choosing lessor or lessee in your next piece of writing, you can check back with this article for a refresher. In this article, I will compare lessee vs. lessor and use each of these terms in a few example sentences. Get the latest and most important lease accounting information right to your inbox.

lessor vs. lessee

If the property is a vehicle under a lease, the lessee may need to keep their usage within certain mileage limits. The lessee could be subject to paying additional fees in the event that the mileage https://adprun.net/who-is-the-lessor-and-who-is-the-lessee/ usage of the leased vehicle exceeds the agreed-upon limits. Leasing is a formal procedure that provides legal backing to one person utilising another person’s property for a certain period.

We’ve unmasked their identities, explored their differences, and reflected on their roles in the vast realm of lease agreements. Types of lease agreements can be highly varied, addressing the diverse needs of the parties involved, namely the lessor and lessee. Here are a few primary types that have shaped the dynamic grounds of “lessor vs. lessee.” They have an obligation to adhere to the rules, such as not causing unnecessary damage to the property or using it for illegal activities.

Understanding Lessees

The seller becomes the lessee, and the company that purchases the asset becomes the lessor. A residential lease is a typical agreement between a landlord and a tenant governing the use of an apartment or other real estate. A couple of different lease types will then be described in more detail near the end of the article. Before signing any lease agreement, a potential lessee should read the provisions of the document thoroughly. If there are any clauses or sections he or she does not understand, it is important to seek clarification before entering into the lease. The landlord of a property, who agrees to provide his property on rent through a lease, is known as the lessor.

If the subject of the lease is an apartment, the lessee must not make any structural changes without the permission of the lessor. Any damages to the property must be repaired before the expiry of the contract. If the lessee fails to make needed repairs or replace any broken fixtures, the lessor has the right to charge the amount of the repairs to the lessee as per the lease agreement.

Rights of Lessees

You have likely been a lessee if you’ve rented an apartment or home, or leased a car from a dealership. I was never quite sure on the difference between the definition of lessor and lessee, but this sorted it right out for me. According to Black’s Law Dictionary, a building lease is a long-term covenant (lease) that enables a lessee to build and own edifices (large buildings) on a lessor’s land.

These articles, the information therein and their other contents are for information purposes only. All views and/or recommendations are those of the concerned author personally and made purely for information purposes. Nothing contained in the articles should be construed as business, legal, tax, accounting, investment or other advice or as an advertisement or promotion of any project or developer or locality. Property renting is common in big cities, where a large number of people move for employment purposes. Since the immediate purchase of property may neither be feasible nor possible, most of them opt for rented accommodations.