The relation of landlord and tenant is created by a contract called a lease. A lease is as the word signifies a letting of property, and may be oral or written. If the contract is to exceed one year, it should be reduced to writing wherever the Statute of Frauds prevails.

Lease

THIS AGREEMENT, Made this 20th day of June, A. D. 1915, between John Doe, of Chicago, Illinois, hereinafter known as Doe, and Richard Roe, of said city, hereinafter known as Roe.

WITNESSETH, That Doe does hereby lease to Roe, the following described property, situated in the City of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, viz: The premises known as No. 1234 W. Monroe Street, in said city, consisting of a fifty-foot lot with a three-story brick building thereupon, for the term of two years, beginning the 1st day of July, A. D. 1915, and ending the 30th day of June, A. D. 1917.

Roe agrees to pay as rent for said premises the sum of Three Thousand dollars annually, payable in equal monthly payments of Two Hundred and Fifty dollars each.

Roe covenants with Doe that at the expiration of the term of this lease he will yield up the premises to Doe without further notice, in as good condition as when the same were entered upon by Roe, loss by fire or inevitable accident, and ordinary wear excepted; and will pay all assessments that shall be levied upon said premises during said term for water tax.

Roe covenants that he will permit Doe to have free access to the premises hereby leased for the purpose of examining or exhibiting the same, or to make any needful repairs or alterations of such premises, which Doe may see fit to make; also to allow to have placed upon said premises at all times, notice of "For Sale" or "To Rent" and will not interfere with the same.

IT IS FURTHER AGREED by Roe that neither he nor his legal representatives will underlet said premises, or any part thereof, or assign this lease, or make any alterations, amendments, or additions to the buildings on said premises, without the written assent of Doe had thereto, and that neither he nor his legal representatives will use said premises for any purpose calculated to injure or deface the same, or to injure the reputation or credit of the premises or of the neighborhood.

IT IS FURTHER AGREED by Roe that he will keep said premises in a clean and healthy condition, in accordance with the ordinances of the city, and the directions of the Board of Health and Public Works.

AND IT IS FURTHER EXPRESSLY AGREED between the parties, that if default shall be made in the payment of the rent above reserved, or any part thereof, or in any of the covenants or agreements herein contained, to be kept by Roe, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, it shall be lawful for Doe or his legal representatives into and upon said premises, or any part thereof, either with or without process of law, to re-enter and re-possess the same, and to distrain for any rent that may be due thereon, at the election of Doe; and in order to enforce a forfeiture for non-payment of rent, it shall not be necessary to make a demand on the same day the rent shall become due, but a demand and refusal or failure to pay at any time on the same day, or at any time on any subsequent day, shall be sufficient; and after such default shall be made, Roe and all persons in possession under him shall be deemed guilty of a forcible detainer of said premises under the statute.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The parties have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written.

JOHN DOE, (Seal)

RICHARD ROE. (Seal)