FLEXIBILITY OF RESIDENTIAL LEASE RELATIONS FROM THE TENANT’S PERSPECTIVE: ESTONIAN LAW IN A COMPARATIVE CONTEXT

Abstract

A certain degree of “default” flexibility in residential lease relations is important in guaranteeing the tenant’s right to free movement and facilitating mobility in the labour market; in other words, the tenant should enjoy a right to terminate the tenancy relationship without extensive adverse consequences. With this in mind, I will first elaborate the comparative analysis on the tenant’s right to terminate. Next, I will argue that tenants in Estonia have no real choice to opt for the flexibility needed without a trade-off in terms of stability, and why asymmetry of the parties’ right to terminate is recommendable. Finally, I propose considering Europe-wide best practices and the local socioeconomic environment, with draft amendments to Estonian tenancy law in order to meet needs.