What was the difference between tenants and serfs?

A tenant was a person who had a lease or similar contract that was good for a specific time. A tenant used whatever buildings and land were specified in the agreement and paid rent.

While the serf also paid rent, in the form of labor, part of a crop, or money, the serf did not have a contract. Instead, the serf had inherited obligations, and inherited rights. A serf was legally bound to the land of the manor, which meant that he was not allowed to move off the manor. In exchange for this he had the right to live on the manor, to work on the manor, and to be protected by the lord of the manor.