A house is rented 'for one year.' A leap year is declared. Who gets the extra month?
When rented 'by year,' a leap year is for the tenant's benefit — he gets an extra month in the property. Only when rented 'by month' does the extra month go to the landlord.
Question 2
A landlord demands proof of rent payment two months after the rental period began. Who bears the burden of proof?
When the demand for payment comes more than 30 days after the rental period began (or after the annual payment date), the landlord bears the burden of proof that payment was not made. The presumption shifts to payment.
Question 3
A rented orchard's spring dries up mid-lease — a regional disaster affecting most orchards. Can the renter reduce his payments?
When a regional disaster affects most fields (e.g., the main river dries up), the renter may reduce his rental payments proportionally to his loss. But if only his specific spring dried up and the main water source remains accessible, no reduction is allowed.
Question 4
Someone stores produce in another's home without permission and then leaves. What may the homeowner do?
The homeowner may sell just enough of the produce to pay workers to remove it and bring it to the marketplace. Pious conduct dictates notifying the court and renting storage for the produce — honoring the obligation to prevent another's financial loss.
Question 5
A mill is rented in exchange for grinding the owner's grain. The owner becomes wealthy and no longer needs grinding. The renter has wheat of his own to grind. Can the owner demand cash instead of grinding service?
If the renter has wheat he could grind there (for himself or for others), refusing his grinding service and demanding cash is 'Sodom behavior' — refusing someone a benefit at no cost to oneself. The court can compel the owner to accept the grinding service.