Meaning & use
sitting tenants
Last updated
“sitting tenants” is a form of “sitting tenant”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
People who already live in a rented property when it is sold or taken over by new owners.
Grammar: Plural only; use a plural verb: 'The sitting tenants are protected by law.'
Patterns
- the sitting tenants
- with sitting tenants
- evict sitting tenants
- protect sitting tenants
The building was sold with three sitting tenants, so the new owner had to wait before renovating.
Sitting tenants often have more legal protection than people who move in after a sale.
The council promised not to evict the sitting tenants while the repairs were done.
Common combinations
- the sitting tenants
- The sitting tenants were told about the sale before anyone else.
- with sitting tenants
- The shop was sold with sitting tenants on the upper floor.
- protect sitting tenants
- New rules were introduced to protect sitting tenants from sudden rent increases.
- sitting tenants in the building
- There are still sitting tenants in the building, so viewings are limited.
Synonyms and how they differ
- existing tenants
- A more neutral phrase that works in both British and American English.
- occupants
- Broader and more formal; it can include people who do not pay rent.
Word family
- sitting tenant noun
- The singular form; one tenant already living in a property being sold.
- tenancy noun
- The legal right to live in a property as a tenant.
Commonly confused: sitting tenants or sitting room?
sitting tenants vs sitting room
A sitting room is a living room; 'sitting tenants' are people who rent a property.
Practice
The new owner could not move into the block because there were still two ______ tenants living there.
Choose one answer.
'Sitting tenants' is the fixed plural phrase for tenants already in a property when it is sold. 'Seating' is about chairs, 'sited' and 'situated' mean located, and neither fits the phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sitting tenants”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.