The Real Estate Encyclopedia & Blog

Month-to-month Tenancy

by | Feb 6, 2026

In real estate, a month-to-month tenancy is a rental arrangement in which the tenant occupies the property without a fixed long term lease and rent is paid on a monthly basis. The tenancy automatically renews each month until terminated by either party in accordance with applicable notice requirements.

Month-to-month tenancies are the most common form of residential rental tenancy. Although a written lease is not technically required to create this type of tenancy, most month to month arrangements are documented by a written agreement to clarify the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant.