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 Idaho, the landlord-tenant relationship is governed by the Idaho Residential Landlord and Tenant Act for residential leases, and by general contract law and specific lease agreements for commercial leases. The Act outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. It includes provisions on security deposits, lease terms, the rights of tenants to a habitable dwelling, the process for raising rent, and the procedures for eviction. Landlords must provide a safe and habitable living environment and are responsible for repairs, while tenants are required to maintain the property and pay rent on time. Commercial leases are less regulated by state statutes and are primarily guided by the lease agreement terms negotiated between the landlord and tenant. Both residential and commercial leases typically specify the use of the property, the term of the lease, and the rent amount. It's important to note that while personal property can also be leased, such arrangements are governed by different terms and are not characterized by a landlord-tenant relationship but rather by a lessor-lessee relationship.