Definition of Terms for Understanding Rentals

Renting, like most fields, has its own lingo. Here is a glossary of commonly used terms:

Abandonment--Moving out of a rental unit without giving notice.

Date of Commencement--Date the lease term begins and rent is due.

Date of Lease--Date the lease is signed and executed by both parties.

Date of Termination--Date the lease ends, rent ceases and the tenant gives up possession of the apartment.

Eviction--Legal process that allows the landlord to remove the renter from the apartment when the tenant has violated the rental agreement or has not complied with a notice ending the tenancy.

Eviction notice--Three-day notice from a landlord telling a tenant that he or she must vacate the unit.

Holding deposit--Deposit given to the landlord to hold the rental unit until the tenant pays the first month’s rent and all other deposits.

Holdover--When a tenant stays in the unit after the lease expires and continues to pay rent.

Lease--A written rental agreement establishing all the terms for a predetermined period.

Security deposit--Money paid by renter to the landlord to offset damages and assure commitment to terms of the lease.

Sublease--Separate rental agreement between the original tenant and a tenant to whom he or she rents all or part of the unit.

Unlawful detainer lawsuit--Lawsuit a landlord must win before he or she can actually evict a tenant.

Vacate notice--Written notice by tenant notifying landlord of intent to move out.