Legal Definitions - landlord-and-tenant relationship

The landlord-and-tenant relationship is a legal agreement between the owner of a property (the landlord) and the person who rents or occupies the property (the tenant). This relationship is created by a lease or rental agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy.

For this relationship to exist, the tenant must have the landlord's permission to occupy the property, and the landlord must have the legal right to rent out the property. The lease or rental agreement must specify the length of the tenancy, the amount of rent to be paid, and any other terms and conditions that both parties agree to.

Examples of the landlord-and-tenant relationship include:

• A landlord renting out an apartment to a tenant for a one-year lease
• A tenant renting a room in a house from a landlord on a month-to-month basis
• A commercial tenant leasing office space from a landlord for a five-year term

These examples illustrate the contractual nature of the landlord-and-tenant relationship, where both parties agree to specific terms and conditions for the tenancy. The landlord has the right to collect rent and maintain the property, while the tenant has the right to occupy the property and use it for its intended purpose.