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 Pennsylvania, the landlord-tenant relationship is governed by both state statutes and the lease agreement entered into by the landlord (lessor) and the tenant (lessee). The lease agreement typically outlines the terms and conditions under which the tenant can use the residential or commercial property, such as a home or office space, for a specified purpose and duration, in return for rent. Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, as well as other relevant statutes, provide the legal framework for these relationships, addressing issues such as security deposits, notice periods for lease termination, the eviction process, and the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. For residential leases, the Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Act requires landlords to maintain the property in a safe and habitable condition and outlines the legal procedures for eviction. For commercial leases, the terms are often more negotiable and can vary significantly based on the agreement. It's important to note that leases for personal property, such as vehicles or equipment, fall under different legal categories and the parties are referred to as lessor and lessee, not landlord and tenant.