1. a fixed rent paid by a tenant to a landlord in lieu of services that might otherwise be required
Usage: historical; legal

Examples

• The colonial settlers paid a small quitrent to the proprietor each year.
• Under the feudal system, quitrent replaced the obligation to provide military service.
• The quitrent was typically a nominal sum paid annually to maintain the land tenure.
• Many American colonies required landowners to pay quitrent to the crown.
• The quitrent system allowed tenants to hold land without performing feudal duties.
• Property deeds from the 1700s often mention quitrent obligations.