Crossword Genius

Occupier who pays neither top nor bottom in rent (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

resident

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'occupier' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'pays neither top nor bottom in rent' is the wordplay.
'pays neither' becomes 'reside' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'top' suggests taking the first letters (in a down clue, the first letter is top).
'bottom in' indicates one should take the final letters (in a down clue, the letter at the bottom).
The initial letter of 'nor' is 'n'.
The final letter of 'rent' is 't'.
'reside'+'n'+'t'='RESIDENT'

'who' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for resident that I've seen before include "Occupier" , "Inmate" , "Inhabitant, occupant" , "Inserted by permanent inhabitant" , "Permanent dweller" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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