Which term best describes the periodic compensation paid in exchange for a lease?

The term that best describes the periodic compensation paid in exchange for a lease is "rent." Rent is a standard term used in real estate and leasing agreements to refer to the regular payments made by a tenant to a landlord in exchange for the use of real property. These payments typically occur on a monthly or yearly basis and are based on the terms specified in the lease agreement.

While "fees" might refer to various charges associated with leasing or property use, they do not specifically connote the recurring payment for occupancy of leased premises. Similarly, "tax" generally refers to government levies imposed on income, property, or sales and is not related to lease payment agreements. "Dividend" pertains to a portion of a company's earnings distributed to shareholders, which is unrelated to the lease context. Thus, rent is the precise term used to describe the financial arrangement between landlords and tenants under a lease agreement.