Which statement best describes landlord covenants in a lease?

• A. The extent of the premises must be accurately defined within the lease, to specify the use and alterations, terms and rent.
• B. Landlord covenants prohibit alterations by the tenant.
• C. They grant exclusive possession to the tenant.
• D. They are personal to the landlord and do not bind successors.

Answer: (A)

Landlord covenants in a lease establish precisely what is being let and under what conditions. The most important detail is the extent of the premises being demised, which must be accurately defined in the lease. This clear description fixes the exact space, boundaries, any included fixtures, and the relation of that space to the tenant’s permitted use, the alterations allowed, the term of the lease, and the rent. When the description is precise, both landlord and tenant know exactly what is let, what can be altered (and with what consent), and what rent applies, which helps prevent disputes about scope and rights later on.

Alterations are typically governed by the lease and usually require the landlord’s consent; stating that alterations are absolutely prohibited would be too sweeping. The right to exclusive possession is a feature of the tenancy itself and supported by the lease, but it isn’t the defining statement about landlord covenants. Covenants generally run with the land, binding successors, rather than being purely personal commitments of the landlord.

So, the best description is that the lease must accurately define the extent of the premises, including the use, alterations, term, and rent.