Is a lease renewal considered a new contract?

A lease renewal can indeed be considered a new rental agreement because, although it relates to the same premises and often maintains similar terms, it represents a new commitment between the parties. When a lease is renewed, the original contract ends, and a new agreement is formed, typically with a new term and potentially modified conditions. This new rental agreement can undergo changes, including adjusted rent amounts, updated rules, or alterations to terms that might not have existed in the previous contract.

Understanding it in this way highlights that a lease renewal is not merely a continuation or extension of the original contract; rather, it re-establishes the terms of the rental relationship under a fresh agreement. This viewpoint is important for both landlords and tenants to recognize as it affects their rights, responsibilities, and the legal framework surrounding their rental situation.