Glossary
6 min read
What is a Lease Agreement?
So, what is a lease agreement? In the context of real estate, a lease agreement is a legally binding document between a landlord...
6 min read
So, what is a lease agreement? In the context of real estate, a lease agreement is a legally binding document between a landlord...
4 min read
Leasing agents are crucial players in the real estate industry. They operate as a critical link between property owners and prospective tenants....
3 min read
A master lease is a contractual agreement where an individual or property management company (the master tenant) leases an entire property from...
3 min read
An assignment of lease, or lease assignment, is a critical concept in property management where an existing tenant (assignor) transfers their rights...
3 min read
In the intricate realm of property management, comprehending and handling lease agreements is essential. One way to manage leases effectively is to...
3 min read
A percentage lease is a commercial lease agreement where the tenant pays a base rent plus a percentage of their gross sales...
3 min read
Adverse possession is a principle that allows a trespasser to legally claim ownership of land they’ve occupied for an extended period, provided...
3 min read
Market rent refers to the average amount tenants are willing to pay for a rental property in a specific location, taking into...
5 min read
A rent escalation clause outlines when and how much rent can increase during the lease term.
4 min read
A ground lease, also known as a land lease, is a lease agreement where the tenant leases the land from the landowner...
3 min read
A lessee is an individual or entity that leases an asset from another party, known as the lessor. In real estate, the...
4 min read
Tenant improvements (TIs) are modifications to a rental space to suit a tenant's specific needs.
4 min read
Vacancy loss refers to the financial impact experienced by landlords or property owners when rental units or properties remain unoccupied for a...
9 min read
Lease options are like standard lease agreements, except they allow tenants the option to buy a rented property after a specified period,...
6 min read
A gross lease, most common in commercial leases, is one in which the tenant pays a flat fee for rent, and the...
6 min read
Habitability standards represent the minimum requirements a dwelling must meet to be considered fit for human habitation.
6 min read
Rent control laws dictate the amount a landlord can charge for rent and lease renewals.
8 min watch
In this episode of 'Be A Better Landlord', we are joined by Kayla Mahoney, a Commercial Real Estate Advisor from Capital Property...
10 min read
Explore the HOA definition! Learn how homeowners associations operate and impact property management and owner responsibilities.
4 min read
Understand rent ledgers with our Landlord Glossary article. Get insights into tracking rental payments and maintaining financial records.
3 min read
A leasehold estate is a property interest that a tenant (lessee) holds thanks to a lease agreement with a property owner (lessor).
3 min read
A modified gross lease, the tenant pays a base rent and then takes on a proportional share of other costs associated with...
3 min read
A Turnkey Property is a home (single-family residence, duplex, or apartment) that is ready for a tenant to move into from day...
4 min read
Subleasing is an option for handling the remainder of a lease that a current tenant is unable to complete.
5 min read
Subletting is one of the most common options for covering a portion of a lease if a current tenant needs to move...
4 min read
Learn what a real estate agent does, their skills, and how they facilitate property deals for buyers and sellers
4 min read
Explore the role and importance of a real estate broker in property transactions with our clear definition.
3 min read
Unravel financial aspects of property management with our Net Operating Income (NOI) definition. Learn more landlord terms here.
3 min read
Master real estate with our definition guide, starting with an in-depth look at real estate investment from a landlord's perspective.
3 min read
Discover commercial property management: tenant acquisition, leases, maintenance, and unique challenges vs. residential.
3 min read
Discover Apartments: From Multifamily Properties to Ownership Pros and Cons - Learn all about what apartments mean.
2 min read
Explore Amenities in Property Management: Learn how these desirable features enhance the appeal of homes, apartments, and communities.
5 min read
Lease addendums allow landlords to make changes to their current lease agreement, such as adjusting the rent payments or adding a pet.
7 min read
As a landlord, you might have to deal with squatters at your vacant rentals - learn what rights squatters have and how...
13 min read
Wondering what is a security deposit? Learn how to manage them responsibly, what they cover, and how to return them to your...
8 min read
Whether you're a landlord or tenant, use this rental arbitrage guide to determine if the business is right for you and your...
7 min read
Discover the concept of a passive house, its environmental and residential advantages, and the reasons it offers a wise investment path for...
5 min read
A self-help eviction refers to any steps taken by a landlord to evict a tenant independent of the legally permissible methods.
5 min read
Defining normal wear and tear is tricky and varies by state. Learn more about how to distinguish wear and tear from tenant-inflicted...
6 min read
Understand the benefits and considerations of a home warranty for landlords, covering repairs and replacements of key home systems and appliances.
2 min read
A self-contained living space that is an extension of an existing property.
4 min read
A duplex house is a residential property consisting of two separate units in a single building.
5 min read
A legal process in which a landlord removes a renting tenant from their rental property.
3 min read
A halting of evictions, often under specific conditions, as enacted by Congress on March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3 min read
The right to choose housing free from discrimination based on protected attributes, including sexuality, national origin, and race.
3 min read
A three-digit number that summarizes a borrower’s financial history to communicate their lendability.
3 min read
A rental unit that comes pre-supplied with the furniture and appliances that its tenants will require.
5 min read
Someone who agrees to be on a lease and guarantees to pay a tenant’s rent in the event that the tenant defaults...
3 min read
A form of revolving funds that allows you to borrow money against your home’s value over time.
2 min read
Homeowner insurance is an insurance policy designed to protect the borrower’s primary residence.
5 min read
A renter who doesn’t vacate the unit after the expiration of their lease without a renewed contract.
5 min read
The process of renting out a portion of your primary residence, either as a long-term or short-term rental.
4 min read
Real estate purchased to generate income through rental income or appreciation.
5 min read
The owner of a house, apartment, condominium, or other real estate which is rented or leased to a tenant.
3 min read
A type of insurance policy that protects property owners who rent out their property.
3 min read
A written or verbal complaint made against a person or group that’s causing excessive noise.
4 min read
Any movable property that is not permanently attached to real estate. This includes furniture, appliances, and vehicles.
3 min read
A one-time fee landlords can ask tenants to pay to mitigate the cost of property damage and losses caused by their...
5 min read
The amount a landlord will charge a tenant when they are only occupying a property for part of the agreed-upon term.
4 min read
A change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service intended to help a person with disabilities use and enjoy...
2 min read
The act of a landlord or property manager gathering the monthly rent payment from their tenant on a set date as outlined...
5 min read
A monthly fee paid by the tenant to their landlord or property manager in accordance with their lease agreement.
3 min read
A document that lists due rent and rents that have been collected on an investment property.
5 min read
The practice of renting out a long-term rental on a short-term rental platform such as Airbnb or VRBO.
2 min read
A type of insurance policy that protects the tenant’s personal belongings, lawsuits related to their tenancy, and medical expenses for injuries incurred...
5 min read
A property or portion of a property leased to a tenant in which the property owner spends no more than 14 days...
5 min read
A written, signed stipulation that verifies the terms, conditions, and current status of a lease agreement, as well as proof of cash...
3 min read
A type of real estate that has multiple floors and shares at least two of its walls with other residences.
2 min read
An independent contractor who handles the administrative tasks for a client or business, usually from a remote location.
3 min read
Affordable housing for households earning between 60-120% of their area’s median income.
5 min read
A set of regulations that control how land is used, including what types of buildings can be constructed, where they can be...
3 min read
A real estate investment tool that allows taxpayers to defer capital gains taxes by swapping one investment for another, as defined under...
3 min read
Housing on which the occupant pays no more than 30% of their gross income for housing costs, including utilities.
5 min read
Used for reporting supplemental income and loss as part of a personal tax return on IRS Form 1040.
5 min read
A government-funded program that assists low-income families in paying for housing.
3 min read
A freestanding residence that shares no common walls with any other structure.
3 min read
Slang for an unscrupulous landlord who is more concerned about their profits than their tenants or neighborhood.
3 min read
Someone who starts living on a property they don’t own without permission.
3 min read
A creature who is registered by an animal-assisted intervention organization to benefit people in need.
7 min read
A commercial real estate lease agreement in which the tenant pays the real estate taxes, insurance premiums, and maintenance costs in addition...
2 min read
A property comprising three individual units in one building, and each unit typically shares at least one common wall.
8 min read
The essential daily services that a person needs in order to have a working, functional living space.
3 min read
An investment property rented out for short periods of time, typically less than one month.
5 min read
An agreement between you and the person to whom you are renting a room within a rental unit. It outlines the rules...
3 min read
Money that a tenant gives to their landlord as proof of their intent to move in and care for the unit.
6 min read
A real estate investment strategy hinged on using cash or short-term financing to buy a distressed property or a property under foreclosure....
5 min read
A metric used to determine how profitable a real estate investment will be, calculated by taking the total amount of cash generated...
5 min read
A legal structure for a business in which the owners, or shareholders, are taxed independently from the corporation.
2 min read
A domestic creature that provides companionship to a human but has no special protections under federal law.
4 min read
Understanding the role of a cosigner in rental agreements enhances the security of your investment. Learn more about cosigners here!
5 min read
The legal right that tenants have to peacefully use their rented space without undue interference from the landlord.
2 min read
A summary of a consumer’s existing and past credit, payment habits, and types of loans taken out that are used to...
3 min read
A three-digit number between 300 and 850 that communicates a consumer’s creditworthiness based on their credit history.
4 min read
The systematic repayment of a debt or other financial obligation, often paid in installments.
6 min read
A professional opinion on the monetary value of real estate, normally conducted by a licensed appraiser independent of both the lender and...
6 min read
The amount a real estate appraiser estimates your home is worth when it comes time to sell it.
2 min read
The process of identifying, acquiring, and maintaining assets to maximize their value to an organization.
3 min read
A method to confirm an individual’s identity using financial, criminal, and commercial data.
3 min read
A mortgage in which a homebuyer makes low payments throughout the loan period but pays a lump sum at the end of...
2 min read
A mortgage in which a homebuyer makes low payments throughout the loan period but pays a lump sum at the end of...
5 min read
An animal protected by the Fair Housing Act that acts as a companion to help treat depression, anxiety, and other mental...
7 min read
Are you curious about rent-controlled apartments? Our guide will help you understand how rent control works and who sets the rates.
7 min read
A guarantor ensures a tenant's rent payment if they default on their rental obligation. Discover more about this crucial safety net in...
9 min read
Grasp the fundamental distinctions between leasing and renting, and their respective effects on landlords and tenants in diverse scenarios.
5 min read
Rental history reports are pivotal in tenant screening - dive into understanding their essence and the imperative role they play in tenant...
8 min read
What is a tenant screening report? Discover the steps to screen a renter and why it should be an essential part of...
Join the 700,000+ independent landlords who rely on TurboTenant to create welcoming rental experiences.
No tricks or trials to worry about. So what’s the harm? Try it today!
TurboTenant, Inc., © 2025
Created in Sunny Colorado
