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 North Dakota, the landlord-tenant relationship is governed by state statutes that outline the rights and responsibilities of both parties. These laws cover various aspects of the leasing process, including the execution of lease agreements, security deposits, rent payments, maintenance of the property, and the procedures for terminating a lease. The lease agreement, which is typically in written form, specifies the terms of the tenancy, such as the purpose of the leased premises, the duration of the lease, and the amount of rent to be paid. North Dakota law requires landlords to maintain the property in a habitable condition and to make necessary repairs, while tenants are obligated to pay rent on time and use the property in a responsible manner. The state's statutes also provide guidelines for eviction processes and the handling of security deposits upon the termination of a lease. It is important to note that while the leasing of personal property involves a lessor and lessee, the leasing of real property involves a landlord and tenant, and the regulations for each type of lease can differ significantly.