I own a home but do not live in it. Is a close relative that is living in that home considered to be a tenant?

Yes, if your close relative is living in the home with your permission, they can be considered a tenant even if they are not paying rent. This means they would have certain legal rights as a tenant, and you would have certain responsibilities as a landlord. It's important to have a clear agreement in place to define the terms of their occupancy.