An oral agreement between a lessor and lessee creates what type of tenancy?

An oral agreement between a lessor and lessee typically establishes a valid tenancy at will. This type of tenancy allows either party to terminate the agreement at any time, provided they give appropriate notice, which is usually defined by the state laws concerning such leases.

A tenancy at will is characterized by the absence of a fixed term, meaning that the lease does not stipulate a specific duration for tenancy. Instead, it continues indefinitely until one party decides to end it. This flexibility can benefit both the lessor, who may want to keep options open for future tenants or sale of the property, and the lessee, who may need temporary housing without the commitment of a long-term lease.

In contrast, other options, such as a tenancy for years, require a written agreement with a specified term, and thus cannot arise from an oral agreement. A periodic tenancy, while it may seem plausible, still arises from rent being paid at regular intervals, typically established through a more formal agreement or conduct over time. Lastly, a month-to-month lease is a specific type of periodic tenancy that explicitly outlines monthly rental payment cycles, which again relies on a more formalized structure than what an oral agreement offers.

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