How does the lessee's situation change when the original lessor dies in a tenancy at will?

In a tenancy at will, the relationship between the lessor and lessee is characterized by its flexibility, allowing either party to terminate the agreement without a fixed term or duration. When the original lessor dies, the lease does not automatically terminate. Instead, it remains valid and binding until one of the parties chooses to terminate it.

This means that the lessee can continue to occupy the property and maintain their tenancy at will. The lease will not end simply because of the lessor's death; it will continue under the same terms and conditions unless and until one of the parties decides to end the arrangement. The new owner, as the successor to the lessor's rights, will inherit the lease and can choose to continue the arrangement or terminate it according to the provisions of the tenancy at will.

Understanding this concept is crucial in real estate practice, as it underscores the protection that tenants have in specific types of arrangements, where personal circumstances of the lessor, such as death, do not immediately disrupt the lessee's rights.