Landlord / Tenant refers to the relationship between (1) the owner or lessor (landlord) of residential or commercial real property known as the leased premises and (2) the occupant or lessee (the tenant) of the leased premises—often a home or office building or space. This relationship is defined by the (usually written) lease agreement signed by the landlord and tenant, and the laws governing the landlord / tenant relationship—which are usually located in a state’s statutes.

A residential or commercial lease of real property (real estate) allows the tenant or lessee to use the property and the improvements on the property—generally a building structure such as a home, office, store, or warehouse, for example—for a stated purpose (such as for a residential dwelling or the operation of a hair salon) and for a fixed period of time (the term of the lease), in exchange for the payment of rent.

Personal property—including automobiles, computers, heavy equipment, machines, home appliances, and other tangible, movable goods—may also be leased, but the parties to a lease of personal property (as opposed to real property) are not referred to as landlord and tenant, but as lessor and lessee.

In Florida, the landlord-tenant relationship is governed by Florida Statutes, particularly Chapter 83, which covers both residential and commercial tenancies. The relationship is typically established through a lease agreement, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord (lessor) and the tenant (lessee). Residential leases allow tenants to use a dwelling, while commercial leases pertain to properties used for business purposes. The lease specifies the purpose of the tenancy, the duration of the lease term, and the rent amount. Florida law sets forth various requirements and protections for both parties, such as security deposit handling, notice periods for lease termination and renewal, maintenance obligations, and procedures for eviction. It's important to note that while both real property (like homes and office spaces) and personal property (like vehicles and equipment) can be leased, the term 'landlord and tenant' is traditionally used in the context of real property leases. For personal property, the parties are referred to as lessor and lessee, and different legal principles may apply.