An estate relating to real estate ownership that is limited in its duration to a fixed period of time.
An estate for years, also known as a term of years tenancy, is an estate in land that has a fixed duration agreed upon in advance. This estate arises from a contract or agreement granting possession of land or tenements for a specific, definite period. The term can be any length of time, from days to years, and the estate automatically expires at the end of the term without the need for further action by either party. The following examples and case studies illustrate the concept and implications of an estate for years in various legal contexts:
These cases further demonstrate the application and implications of estates for years in legal proceedings:
For more detailed information, see our related Real Property terms: