Summary

This article deals with various issues relating to the expiry and termination of residential lease contracts. From the social perspective, these issues are particularly topical since persons who have recently become houseowners as a result of the ownership reform do not always respect the rights granted by law to tenants.
The residential lease contracts entered into for an unspecified period under the Estonian SSR Dwelling Code were deemed to have been entered into for a specified period upon the entry into force of the Republic of Estonia Dwelling Act. The specified period prescribed by the Republic of Estonia Dwelling Act which is five years from the entry into force of the Act will expire this summer and, consequently, issues relating to the expiry and termination of residential lease contracts will become particularly relevant. Further, provisions of the Dwelling Act which are ambiguous also create problems. Therefore, the author of this article makes suggestions for rewording some of the provisions of the Dwelling Act.