Walk It Through: The Lease That Ran Out
A year lease ends, the rent keeps getting paid, a request to leave, and the utilities deposit.
A year long lease ends. The tenant stays and keeps paying rent, and the landlord keeps taking it.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
A fixed lease that simply ended. How much notice a landlord must give to end a tenancy by sufferance is not set by these sections, and these pages do not answer it.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Utilities depositMoney a landlord holds and separately identifies against the renter's utility bills, refunded within ten days of showing the bills are paid.
- Forcible entry and detainerThe court case a landlord brings to get possession back, against a tenant holding over, behind on rent for three days after it is due, or breaking the renter's duties.
- Rental agreementAny agreement, written or oral, setting or changing the terms of using and occupying a residential rental unit.
- Tenancy by sufferanceWhat a tenant has after a lease ends and they stay on, even if the landlord accepts rent.