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 Colorado, 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 relationship, including but not limited to, the terms of the lease agreement, security deposits, maintenance and repair obligations, and the process for eviction. The lease agreement, which is typically in written form, sets forth 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. For residential leases, Colorado law provides protections for tenants, such as the warranty of habitability, which requires landlords to maintain the property in a condition fit for living. Commercial leases are also regulated, but with different considerations given the nature of business use. It is important to note that while the lease agreement is central to the landlord-tenant relationship, state laws may supersede certain lease provisions if they are found to be unfair or in violation of tenants' rights. Leases of personal property, on the other hand, are governed by different sets of laws and the parties are referred to as lessor and lessee, not landlord and tenant.