A person of full age who, for the time being, is beneficially entitled under a settlement to possession of settled land for his life (section 19(1), Settled Land Act 1925) (SLA 1925). A tenant for life is entitled to hold the legal estate but only for the duration of his life. On his death, the legal estate is vested in whoever is entitled to it according to the settlement or will.

Two or more persons of full age beneficially entitled as above as joint tenants, together constitute the tenant for life for the purposes of SLA 1925 (section 19(2), SLA 1925).