HOUSING TENURE Meaning and
Definition
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Housing tenure refers to the legal and social arrangements that determine how individuals or households occupy and possess housing. It describes the different forms of ownership or occupancy that individuals or families have over the residential properties they live in.
The concept of housing tenure encompasses various categories, including homeownership, rental housing, co-operative housing, and social or public housing. Homeownership refers to the condition where an individual or household holds legal title to the property they reside in. This typically involves buying or mortgaging a house or apartment and having exclusive rights to use and occupy it.
Rental housing involves individuals or families residing in a property owned by another person, the landlord, and paying rent in exchange for their use and occupancy. Co-operative housing is a form of residential property ownership in which residents are members of a cooperative organization who collectively own and manage the property.
Social or public housing is a housing option provided by the government or non-profit organizations at affordable rates for low-income individuals or families who may otherwise struggle to afford housing in the private market.
Housing tenure plays a significant role in determining the rights and responsibilities of both occupants and property owners, as well as influencing housing affordability, stability, and mobility among individuals and the broader society.
Etymology of HOUSING TENURE
The word "housing" derives from the Middle English term "hous", which originally comes from the Old English word "hūs". "Tenure" is derived from the Latin word "tenēre", meaning "to hold" or "to possess". In the context of housing, "tenure" refers to the terms or conditions under which someone holds or possesses a dwelling. The combination of these words, "housing tenure", therefore refers to the specific arrangements or conditions by which someone occupies or holds housing.
