What is the legal term for an individual permitted to enter a property?

The term that refers to an individual permitted to enter a property is "licensee." In legal contexts, a licensee is someone who has permission to be on someone else's property for a specific purpose that is beneficial to the licensee, such as attending a social gathering, shopping, or visiting. This relationship implies that the property owner has granted permission for the individual to be on the property, distinguishing a licensee from a trespasser, who has no such permission.

Understanding the definition of a licensee is essential for security professionals because it impacts the duty of care that the property owner must provide. For example, owners owe a higher duty of care to licensees compared to trespassers, which means they must ensure that the property is reasonably safe for licensees, as they are allowed to be there.

While the other terms such as visitor, guest, or contractor may seem relevant, they don't carry the same specific legal definition. For instance, a visitor may refer to anyone who comes to a place, but it doesn’t imply the legal permission aspect necessary in the context of property law. A guest often suggests a social visit and is more colloquial in nature, while a contractor refers to someone hired to perform specific duties or services, which