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National curriculum lesson 88 · Contracts

Leases and Leasehold Estates

A lease transfers a right of possession for a term while the landlord retains the ownership interest. An estate for years has a definite ending date; a periodic tenancy renews for successive periods; tenancy at will lasts by agreement without a fixed term under governing law; tenancy at sufferance arises when a tenant wrongfully remains after lawful possession ends. Assignment and sublease divide lease rights differently.

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Last reviewed August 2, 2026. Editorial standards.

What is the exam-ready answer?

A lease transfers a right of possession for a term while the landlord retains the ownership interest. An estate for years has a definite ending date; a periodic tenancy renews for successive periods; tenancy at will lasts by agreement without a fixed term under governing law; tenancy at sufferance arises when a tenant wrongfully remains after lawful possession ends. Assignment and sublease divide lease rights differently.
Official syllabus mapping for Leases and Leasehold Estates
Roadmap lesson88 of 500
Official syllabus topicLeases and Leasehold Estates
Official PSI areaContracts
Published area weight19% of the 100-question national portion
Exam portionNational salesperson portion
Source editionPSI Georgia Candidate Information Bulletin dated July 1, 2026
Last verifiedAugust 2, 2026

The Rule

PSI publishes the weight for the complete content area, not a fixed question count for this lesson. Learn the rule well enough to apply it when PSI changes names, numbers, or parties in a new scenario.

Complete lesson

Read each concept as part of one decision system. The exam often gives one accurate statement and three statements that belong to a nearby concept.

Leasehold estates

Classify by duration and termination method. Despite its name, an estate for years can last any definite period, including days or months.

Lease terms

A lease addresses premises, duration, rent, deposits, maintenance, repairs, utilities, permitted use, entry, insurance, default, renewal, and surrender.

Assignment and sublease

An assignment transfers the tenant's remaining leasehold interest, while a sublease transfers less than the full remaining interest. Original-party liability depends on consent, release, and law.

Property types

Residential, commercial, percentage, ground, net, and gross leases allocate rent and operating costs differently. Federal and state rules can add mandatory protections.

Decision rule

Classify the term, possession status, and amount of the tenant's remaining interest transferred.

Georgia-specific distinction

Georgia landlord-tenant law controls notices, deposits, repairs, eviction, and other residential duties. A Georgia real estate licensee managing property must also follow brokerage trust-account, agreement, and record rules.

Worked example

Scenario. A tenant with ten months left transfers the entire remaining term to a new occupant but receives no release from the landlord.

Reason it through. The tenant transferred all remaining leasehold time, which is an assignment, but no fact releases the original tenant.

Answer. It is an assignment, and the original tenant may remain liable.

Common exam traps

  • Assuming estate for years must last years
  • Calling every transfer a sublease
  • Assuming assignment releases the tenant
  • Confusing possession with title

Original practice questions with detailed explanations

These questions were written for instruction and mapped to the current outline. They are not copied from PSI or any live examination. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.

Question 1

Which tenancy has a fixed ending date?

  1. A. Estate for years
  2. B. Periodic tenancy
  3. C. Tenancy at sufferance
  4. D. Tenancy at will only
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: A. Estate for years

An estate for years ends on a definite date without requiring periodic renewal.

Question 2

What arises when a tenant wrongfully holds over?

  1. A. Tenancy at sufferance
  2. B. Life estate
  3. C. Easement
  4. D. Joint tenancy
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: A. Tenancy at sufferance

A holdover after lawful possession ends is a tenancy at sufferance.

Question 3

A transfer of less than the full remaining lease term is generally what?

  1. A. Assignment
  2. B. Sublease
  3. C. Novation
  4. D. Deed
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: B. Sublease

The original tenant retains a reversionary leasehold interest, making the transfer a sublease.

Mastery tracking

Mark this lesson mastered only when every statement is true.

  • State the direct answer and decision rule without notes.
  • Explain every core concept in plain English.
  • Solve the worked example after changing one important fact.
  • Identify the Georgia distinction before reading answer choices.
  • Answer all three questions correctly and reject every distractor.
  • Repeat the topic in mixed practice on a later day.

Recommended next lesson

Continue with Agency relationships and fiduciary duties. Lesson 89 connects every relationship, duty, conflict, and termination rule.

Return to the Contracts hub to see every official branch and the complete lesson sequence for this content area.

Leases and Leasehold Estates questions

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Last reviewed August 2, 2026. Editorial standards.

Is Leases and Leasehold Estates on the Georgia real estate exam?

Yes. It belongs to PSI's Contracts content area, which is 19% of the 100-question national portion. PSI publishes content-area weights, not a guaranteed question count for this individual lesson.

What is the main rule for Leases and Leasehold Estates?

Classify the term, possession status, and amount of the tenant's remaining interest transferred.

What Georgia-specific distinction should I remember?

Georgia landlord-tenant law controls notices, deposits, repairs, eviction, and other residential duties. A Georgia real estate licensee managing property must also follow brokerage trust-account, agreement, and record rules.

How do I know I have mastered this lesson?

Explain the rule without notes, solve the worked example again with changed facts, answer all original questions correctly, explain every distractor, and repeat mixed practice on a later day.