Landlord-tenant law regulates the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. While state laws primarily govern such relations, federal laws also cover aspects of residential and commercial rentals and leases.
Landlord-tenant laws vary from state-to-state. However, many states have based their laws on either the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) or the Model Residential Landlord-Tenant Code. Thus, most state laws share some general principles of landlord-tenant law. Contract law and property law which are common among states govern the relationships between landlords and tenants. A landlord rents or leases residential or commercial property to a tenant and the parties will usually sign a contract detailing the rental or lease terms. The contract will include the duration of the rental or lease as well as the amount of rental or lease payments due. When a landlord and tenant may not have signed a written lease, an oral agreement or the actions of the parties will determine the terms of the tenancy.