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 Ohio, the landlord-tenant relationship is governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants for residential properties. The law requires landlords to maintain safe and habitable living conditions, comply with building, housing, health, and safety codes, and make necessary repairs in a timely manner. Tenants are required to keep the premises safe and clean, comply with housing and health codes, and refrain from damaging the property. Lease agreements, which are typically in writing, detail the specific terms of the tenancy, including the purpose of the lease, the term, and the rent amount. Commercial leases are also governed by state law, but they have more flexibility and are subject to negotiation between the parties, as commercial tenants are considered more knowledgeable and less in need of protection compared to residential tenants. Leases for personal property, on the other hand, are governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in Ohio, and the parties are referred to as lessor and lessee, not landlord and tenant.