What is the purpose of a holdover tenant?

A holdover tenant refers to a tenant who remains in possession of a rental property after their lease has expired. The primary purpose of identifying such a tenant is to recognize their status in relation to the lease agreement. When a holdover tenant continues to occupy the property, they may do so either with the landlord's consent or without it, which can lead to various legal implications regarding their rights and responsibilities.

In many jurisdictions, if a holdover tenant stays beyond the lease term without the landlord's agreement, the landlord may seek to evict them. Alternatively, if the landlord accepts rent payments from the holdover tenant, the situation might be treated as a month-to-month tenancy at will, which can be established based on the original terms of the expired lease. This concept underscores the importance of lease agreements, tenant rights, and the potential for continued occupancy beyond the original term.

The other provided options do not accurately reflect the primary role of a holdover tenant. Automatically extending a lease, negotiating a new lease, or subletting the property involve distinct actions and agreements that are separate from the holdover tenant's status of remaining in possession after the lease has ended.