What term refers to a person using a building by lease or permission of the owner?

The term that best refers to a person using a building by lease or permission of the owner is “tenant.” A tenant is someone who has a legal agreement, often in the form of a lease, to occupy and use a property owned by another individual or entity. This relationship grants the tenant specific rights and responsibilities as defined in the lease agreement, including the obligation to pay rent, maintain the property, and adhere to any rules set by the landlord.

In contrast, other terms have different meanings. A licensee generally refers to someone who has permission to use a property but does not have the legal rights associated with a tenant, such as the ability to exclude others from the property. An occupant can refer more generally to anyone living or residing in a building, regardless of whether they have a legal agreement. A visitor usually denotes someone present on the property temporarily and not with the intent to remain long-term, typically without any legal claim to the space. Thus, "tenant" is the most accurate term for someone using a building with the landlord's consent under a lease.