EstatePass
Practice of Real EstateMEDIUMFREE

A lessee rents an apartment from May 1st to July 1st of the same year. The lessee’s tenancy is thus classified as a(n):

2:26
0 views

Question & Answer

Review the question and all answer choices

A

periodic tenancy.

Correct Answer
B

estate at sufferance.

An estate at sufferance arises when a tenant who had a lawful tenancy remains in possession after the lease has expired without the landlord's permission — commonly called a 'holdover tenant'; this situation has not yet occurred in the scenario described.

C

estate at will.

An estate at will exists when either party can terminate the tenancy at any time with proper notice, with no fixed end date agreed upon; the May 1–July 1 lease has a clearly defined termination date, making an estate at will inapplicable.

D

estate for years.

Why is this correct?

A lease from May 1st to July 1st has a fixed, predetermined start and end date, which is the defining characteristic of an estate for years under California and general common law property principles. The name 'estate for years' is a legal term of art that applies to any tenancy with a definite duration — two months, six months, or ten years all qualify equally. The correct answer is 'D' (estate for years) because both parties agreed to a specific termination date, eliminating any ambiguity about the tenancy's duration.

Ready to Ace Your Real Estate Exam?

Access 2,000+ free video lessons covering all 11 exam topics.