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 Wisconsin, 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 rental agreement for both residential and commercial properties, including lease terms, security deposits, rent payments, property maintenance, and the process for handling disputes. The lease agreement, which is typically in written form, details the specific terms agreed upon by the landlord (lessor) and tenant (lessee), such as the purpose of the leased premises, the duration of the lease, and the amount of rent. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 704 specifically addresses issues related to the rental of real property and provides the legal framework for these relationships. It is important to note that while the lease of personal property also involves a lessor and lessee, the legal terms and conditions governing personal property leases differ from those that apply to real property leases.