In no tenement which is held for a term of years is there an avail of homage; but there is the oath of fealty (loyalty).

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A tenant for years owes fealty but not homage — the oath of loyalty is required of all tenants, but the ceremony of homage is reserved for freehold estates.

Where this applies

• A tenant renting a shop for a five-year term owes loyalty to the landlord but does not owe the formal ceremony of homage that a freeholder would.
• A leaseholder is required to swear an oath of fealty to the lord of the manor, but since he holds only a term of years, homage is not demanded of him.
• A farmer holding land under a fixed-term lease acknowledges his obligation of loyalty to the landowner but is not expected to perform the feudal ritual of homage.