​KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Mesne Profits


Mesne profits are damages payable by a tenant or occupier who remains in possession of property after the legal right to occupy it has ended.


The payment represents compensation to the landlord for the unlawful occupation of the premises and is usually assessed according to the current market rental value of the property. This amount may exceed the rent previously paid during the tenancy.


A landlord may claim mesne profits after the tenancy has terminated and the tenant refuses to vacate. However, if the landlord continues to accept rent from the occupier after the tenancy ends, this conduct may create a new tenancy arrangement, such as a periodic tenancy or tenancy at will.