The person or party that occupies property. A lessee, tenant or land owner who lives on the premises. In a general sense. One who takes possession of a thing of which there is no owner; one who has the actual possession or control of a thing. In a special sense. One who takes possession of land.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
In a general sense. One who takes possession of a thing, of which there is no owner; one who has the actual possession or control of a thing. In. a special sense. One who takes possession of lands held pur autre vie, after the death of the tenant, and during the life of the cestui que vie. General occupant. At common law where a man was tenant pur autre vie, or had an estate granted to himself only (without mentioning his heirs) for the life of another man, and died without alienation during the life of cestui que vie, or him by whose life it was holden, he that could first enter on the land might lawfully retain the possession, so long as cestui que vie lived, by right of occupancy, and was hence termed a “general” or common “occupant.” 1 Steph. Comm. 415. Special occupant. A person having a special right to enter upon and occupy lands granted pur autre vie, on the death of the tenant, and during the life of cestui que vie. Where the grant is to a man and his heirs during the life of cestui que vie, the heir succeeds as special occupant, having a special exclusive right by the terms of the original grant. 2 Bl. Comm. 259; 1 Steph. Comm. 416. Occupantis finnt dereliota. Things abandoned become the property of the (first) occupant.