Leasing License Practice Exam

What kind of tenant is responsible for maintaining the lease obligations after its expiration?

1. Holdover tenant

2. Defaulting tenant

3. Renewal tenant

4. Previous tenant

The correct answer is: Holdover tenant

A holdover tenant is a tenant who remains in possession of the leased property after the lease has expired, without having signed a new lease agreement. This situation occurs when the tenant does not vacate the premises at the end of the lease term. As a holdover tenant, they typically are still responsible for fulfilling lease obligations such as paying rent and maintaining the property, based on the terms of the original lease or any implied terms from the landlord. When a tenant holds over, they can sometimes be considered as a tenant at sufferance, which means they are occupying the property without the landlord's explicit permission but still bear the responsibilities outlined in the original lease until the landlord decides to take action, whether that be accepting rent or initiating eviction proceedings. The other choices, such as a defaulting tenant, typically refer to tenants failing to meet lease obligations during the lease term rather than after expiration, while a renewal tenant suggests a new lease or continuation. The term "previous tenant" does not directly indicate any responsibilities that would carry beyond the lease expiration. Therefore, the holdover tenant is the clear answer regarding who remains responsible for the lease obligations after the lease has ended.