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 Mississippi, the landlord-tenant relationship is primarily governed by state statutes, which outline the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. The Mississippi Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provides the legal framework for residential leases, while commercial leases are generally governed by the principles of contract law. The lease agreement, which should be in writing, sets forth the terms of the tenancy, including the purpose of the lease, the term, and the rent amount. Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property in a habitable condition and making necessary repairs, while tenants are required to pay rent on time and use the property in a manner that doesn't cause damage. Security deposits, eviction procedures, and other aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship are also regulated by state law. It's important to note that leases of personal property, such as vehicles or equipment, are subject to different legal terms and are not characterized by a landlord-tenant relationship but rather by a lessor-lessee relationship.