In a Real Estate Investment Trust, what are the investors typically referred to?

In the context of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), investors are typically referred to as beneficiaries. This term reflects the nature of their investment in the trust, as they benefit from the income generated by the REIT's real estate holdings without directly owning the properties themselves. By pooling funds, the REIT allows multiple investors to collectively invest in real estate, which can lead to a diversified portfolio and shared risk.

The use of the term beneficiaries emphasizes the relationship between the investors and the REIT, as they receive dividends from the income generated by the properties owned by the trust. This terminology is distinct from terms like members, stakeholders, or tenants, which do not accurately capture the specific role of investors within a REIT structure. Members and stakeholders may be used in different contexts to denote individuals or entities involved in various aspects of a business or organization, while tenants specifically refer to individuals or entities that occupy rental properties.