Someone owns the property that others pay to occupy. A landlord is the person or entity that owns real property and leases it to a tenant in exchange for rent.

Landlords must deliver possession, maintain habitability in many jurisdictions, and follow statutory procedures for raising rent or ending tenancies. They may enforce lease terms, including rules about use, subletting, and damage. Security deposits are regulated as to amount, holding, and return.

Good landlords document conditions, respond to repair requests, and use formal process for disputes. Tenant-protection statutes limit self-help remedies and retaliatory conduct. The landlord-tenant relationship is one of the most common legal relationships ordinary people encounter.

• Owner who leases property to a tenant
• Obligated to provide possession and often habitability
• Must follow formal process for eviction
• Regulated regarding deposits and lease terms