Intermediate terms

Essential Landlord-Tenant Law Terms

This curated collection includes key terms that might be helpful when exploring landlord-tenant law and compliance. It clarifies the legal rights, responsibilities, and regulations involved in the landlord-tenant relationship. These terms were selected based on common questions and areas where investors often need clarity.

Learning Path

Normal Wear and Tear

Normal wear and tear refers to the expected deterioration of a rental property over time due to ordinary use and aging, for which landlords are responsible for repairs.

Intermediate2-3 min

Breach of Lease

A breach of lease is a violation of any term or condition in a rental agreement by either the landlord or the tenant, potentially leading to legal action, financial penalties, or lease termination.

Intermediate12-15 min

Tenant Screening

Tenant screening is the process landlords use to evaluate potential renters, assessing their reliability, financial stability, and past rental behavior to minimize risks and ensure a good fit for the property.

Beginner15-18 min

Self-Help Eviction

A self-help eviction occurs when a landlord attempts to remove a tenant from a rental property without following the legally mandated eviction process, often by changing locks or shutting off utilities, which is illegal in most jurisdictions.

Intermediate6-7 min

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act is a federal law prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability.

Intermediate12-13 min

Landlord Responsibilities

Landlord responsibilities are the legal and ethical duties property owners owe to their tenants and rental properties, encompassing maintenance, safety, legal compliance, and financial management to ensure habitability and fair treatment.

Beginner5-6 min

Property Condition Report

A Property Condition Report (PCR) is a detailed document outlining the physical state of a property, identifying existing defects, potential issues, and necessary repairs. It helps buyers, sellers, and lenders understand the property's health before a transaction.

Beginner6 min

Tenant Credit Check

A tenant credit check is a vital part of the tenant screening process, providing landlords with a detailed report of a prospective renter's financial history to assess their reliability and ability to pay rent.

Intermediate6 min

Lease Agreement

A legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant that outlines the terms and conditions of renting a property, including rent, duration, and responsibilities.

Beginner18-20 min

Security Deposit Escrow Account

A specialized bank account where a landlord holds a tenant's security deposit, separate from their personal funds, to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect both parties' interests.

Intermediate2-3 min

Notice to Vacate

A formal written statement from a landlord to a tenant, or vice versa, indicating the intention to terminate a lease agreement and vacate the property by a specific date, adhering to legal requirements.

Beginner15-18 min

Security Deposit

A security deposit is a refundable sum of money collected by a landlord from a tenant at the start of a lease to cover potential damages, unpaid rent, or other lease violations.

Beginner13-14 min

Reasonable Accommodation

A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service that may be necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, as mandated by the Fair Housing Act.

Intermediate5 min

Tenant Rights

Tenant rights are the legal protections and entitlements afforded to individuals who rent property, ensuring fair treatment, safe living conditions, and protection against discrimination and unlawful eviction.

Intermediate15-18 min

Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment

The Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment is an implied right in a lease agreement assuring a tenant undisturbed use and possession of a property without interference from the landlord or their agents.

Intermediate14-15 min

Housing Discrimination

Housing discrimination is the illegal practice of treating individuals unfairly in housing-related matters based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, sex, or disability, violating federal and local fair housing laws.

Intermediate5 min

Warranty of Habitability

The Warranty of Habitability is an implied legal guarantee that residential rental properties must be fit for human habitation, requiring landlords to provide and maintain safe, sanitary, and structurally sound living conditions.

Intermediate13-14 min

Eviction

Eviction is the legal process by which a landlord removes a tenant from a rental property due to a breach of the lease agreement, such as non-payment of rent or other violations, strictly adhering to state and local laws.

Intermediate12-13 min

Rent Control

Rent control refers to government-imposed limits on the amount landlords can charge for rent and the rate at which rents can be increased, typically enacted to promote housing affordability.

Intermediate13-14 min

Unlawful Detainer

Unlawful detainer is a specialized legal action initiated by a landlord to regain possession of real property from a tenant or occupant who is wrongfully withholding it, typically due to lease violations or non-payment of rent.

Advanced15-18 min

Holdover Tenant

A holdover tenant is a lessee who remains in possession of a rental property after their lease agreement has expired, without the landlord's explicit consent. This situation creates a tenancy at sufferance, with specific legal implications for both parties.

Intermediate2-3 min

Cure or Quit Notice

A Cure or Quit Notice is a legal document issued by a landlord to a tenant, demanding that a specific lease violation be remedied within a set timeframe or the tenant must vacate the property. It is a prerequisite for eviction in many jurisdictions.

Intermediate2-3 min