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 Tennessee, the landlord-tenant relationship is governed by the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) for residential leases, and common law and specific lease agreements for commercial leases. The URLTA outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, including the process for security deposits, lease termination, eviction, and the maintenance of the property. Landlords must provide habitable living conditions and make necessary repairs, while tenants are required to pay rent on time and maintain the property. The lease agreement, which should be in writing, details the specific terms of the tenancy, such as the duration of the lease, the amount of rent, and the use of the property. For commercial leases, the terms are often more negotiable and can be tailored to the needs of the business. Unlike real property leases, leases of personal property, such as vehicles or equipment, involve a lessor and lessee and are typically governed by the terms of the lease agreement and the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in Tennessee.