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 Kentucky, the landlord-tenant relationship is governed by both the lease agreement and state statutes, specifically the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Chapter 383, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. The lease agreement, which is typically in written form, details the terms of the tenancy, including the purpose of the leased premises, the duration of the lease, and the amount of rent to be paid. Residential leases allow tenants to use the property as a dwelling, while commercial leases pertain to business uses such as offices or retail spaces. Kentucky law requires landlords to maintain the property in a habitable condition, comply with health and safety codes, make necessary repairs, and respect the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment of the property. Tenants, on the other hand, are obligated to pay rent on time, keep the property clean and undamaged, and abide by the terms of the lease. The KRS also provides specific procedures for addressing issues such as security deposits, eviction, and lease termination. It's important to note that while personal property can also be leased, the terms 'landlord' and 'tenant' are typically reserved for real property leases, with 'lessor' and 'lessee' used for personal property leases.