I grew up on a country estate outside Philadelphia with a family of cats.  They had their own place as far away from the main house as they could build it.  We didn’t charge rent.  They kept their distance, and they kept all the rodents away from the property.  Burglars too.  The cats enjoyed patrolling the grounds and informing any unauthorized guests that their presence was not wanted.  Usually with a full set of claws to something exposed.