What does lessor mean?
A lessor is the person or organization that grants someone else temporary rights to use or occupy property under a lease. In return, the lessor receives rent or another agreed payment. The term is especially common in legal, commercial, and property-management contexts, whereas landlord is more familiar in everyday discussion of homes and rented premises. The corresponding word for the person who receives the property rights and pays the consideration is lessee. A lessor need not own the property outright; the role can belong to the owner or to someone holding rights to lease it. The word is useful in contracts, leases, and discussions of commercial property because it identifies the granting party precisely without implying the informal or residential associations that “landlord” may carry.
nounA lessor is a person or organization that grants another party the right to use or occupy property for a specified period in return for rent or another form of payment.
- A person or organization that grants property-use rights to another party under a lease, receiving rent or other consideration in return.
"The lessor increased the annual rent on the warehouse after the lease was renewed."
"The lessor gave the tenant written notice before ending the lease."
"A commercial lessor leases office space to businesses under a long-term agreement."
The plural is lessors when referring to multiple parties that grant leases.
"The lessors of the building must approve any major structural changes."
A lessor owns or controls the property; a lessee gets the temporary right to use it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lessor come from?
Lessor was formed in English from lease and the suffix -or, denoting a person who grants a lease. Both elements reflect the broader Germanic history of the word lease, which comes from Old English læs, meaning “a letting” or “something granted.” The legal distinction between lessor and lessee developed within English lease terminology and was reinforced by the widespread use of leases for land, buildings, and other property.
How lessor is actually used
This is primarily a legal and commercial term. In ordinary property discussions, landlord is often used instead, especially for residential tenancies.
Easily confused with lessor
A lessor grants property-use rights to a lessee, who receives those rights and pays rent or other consideration.