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 Georgia, the landlord-tenant relationship is primarily governed by Georgia's landlord-tenant laws, which are codified in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Title 44, Chapter 7. These laws outline the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants in residential and commercial lease agreements. A lease agreement, which is typically in written form, allows a tenant to use the landlord's property for a specific purpose and duration in exchange for rent. The lease should specify terms such as the amount of rent, the length of the lease term, and the obligations of each party regarding maintenance and repairs. Georgia law requires landlords to maintain the premises in compliance with applicable building and housing codes and to make necessary repairs, while tenants are generally responsible for keeping the property clean and safe. Security deposit regulations, eviction procedures, and other tenant protections are also addressed under state law. It's important to note that while the lease agreement can provide additional terms, it cannot waive or alter the tenant's rights or the landlord's obligations under Georgia law.