What is the main purpose of a lease?

The main purpose of a lease is to outline the terms for tenant occupation and use of property. A lease serves as a legal contract between a landlord and a tenant, detailing essential terms such as the duration of the rental period, rent amount, payment dates, security deposits, maintenance responsibilities, and the rights and obligations of both parties. This clarity helps to prevent disputes and ensures both the landlord and tenant know their respective rights and responsibilities throughout the rental period.

Other options, while each relevant to real estate in some way, do not encompass the primary function of a lease. Property tax rates pertain to municipal regulations rather than the landlord-tenant relationship. Specifying a purchase price relates to sale agreements, not leases, which are about rental terms. Enforcing landlord obligations is only one aspect of the lease; the lease is fundamentally about defining the occupancy and usage rights of the tenant as a whole.