Lease dictionary
Holdover tenant
A tenant who stays past the lease's end date without a new agreement.
A holdover tenant remains after the lease term expires. What happens next depends on the landlord: accept rent and (in most states) create a month-to-month tenancy, or refuse it and start eviction.
Some leases impose 'holdover rent' at 150–200% of the normal rate for staying past the end date - often enforceable, so don't let the date slip silently.
Watch out
If you need a few extra days past your lease end, get the landlord's written OK first - even a friendly one can charge holdover rent later.
See it in action
The Notice to vacate letter puts this term to work for you.