A person owns a rental property and leases it to tenants in exchange for rent. That person is the landlord. Landlords supply housing or commercial space and assume the responsibilities of ownership while granting possession to others.

Duties typically include maintaining the property in habitable condition, respecting tenant privacy, handling repairs, and complying with fair-housing and safety laws. Rights include receiving timely rent and recovering the property at the end of the tenancy through proper legal process.

Some landlords manage properties themselves; others hire professional managers. Successful landlords screen tenants carefully, keep good records, and respond promptly to legitimate maintenance requests. The relationship is governed by the lease and by local landlord-tenant statutes.

• Owner who rents property to tenants
• Responsible for habitability and legal compliance
• Entitled to rent and eventual return of possession
• May self-manage or hire professional help