What are implied covenants in lease agreements?

Implied covenants in lease agreements refer to unwritten obligations that both parties are presumed to accept, even though they are not explicitly stated in the contract. This concept stems from the underlying principle that certain obligations are inherently understood to be part of any lease agreement to ensure fairness and good faith in the relationship between the landlord and tenant.

For instance, a lease typically implies certain responsibilities, such as the landlord's duty to provide a habitable living environment and the tenant's duty to pay rent on time. These covenants exist to facilitate a reasonable operation of the lease and to protect the rights and interests of both parties. Recognizing these implied covenants is crucial because they can greatly influence the tenant's and landlord's legal rights and obligations, even if they are not detailed in the written lease.

In contrast, explicit obligations mentioned in the contract would refer to clearly defined terms that are written out and agreed upon by both parties, rather than those perceived as automatically understood. The other choices also pertain to various types of obligations or conditions but do not capture the essence of implied covenants, which uniquely emphasizes the presumption of acceptance without being stated explicitly.