What is a lease?

A lease (sometimes called a rental agreement) is a contract between a tenant and a landlord that gives the tenant the right to live in a house or apartment that the landlord owns in exchange for the payment of rent. A lease is a legally binding contract, which means that it can be enforced by the courts.

A lease is the best evidence of the specific rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant. The lease tells both parties what they can count on receiving and what they are expected to do.

Show All Answers

1. What is a lease?
2. Does the lease have to be in writing?
3. What should the lease cover?
4. What can be done about violence or drugs on the premises?
5. How should the lease be signed?
6. What happens to the lease if the apartment building or house is sold to a new owner?
7. Do roommates have obligations under the lease?
8. What happens to the lease if the tenant remains after the lease term ends - holdover tenant?
9. Are all clauses in a lease legal?
10. Can a landlord refuse to rent to a prospective tenant?