If a rental agreement does not specify a term, what type of agreement is it deemed to be?

When a rental agreement does not specify a term, it is deemed to be a month-to-month agreement. This classification arises from the principle of tenancy at will where a rental agreement is established without a defined length. In such cases, the law typically assumes that the rental term is month-to-month, which allows either party to terminate the agreement with proper notice, usually one month.

This structure offers flexibility to both landlords and tenants, as it does not impose a long-term commitment. It also aligns with many state laws that default to month-to-month arrangements when no specific duration is stipulated in the lease. This approach is particularly useful in transitional housing situations or scenarios where the housing market and individual circumstances may require a changing living arrangement.

In contrast, agreements like a yearly lease, fixed-term lease, and permanent lease all involve specific durations that are explicitly defined, which is not the case here. An absence of a specified term leads to the conclusion that the rental relationship will follow the month-to-month structure.