What constitutes a breach of lease by a tenant?

A breach of lease by a tenant occurs when the tenant fails to meet the specific obligations outlined in the rental agreement. The correct answer includes both non-payment of rent and unauthorized alterations, which are significant violations of lease terms.

Non-payment of rent is a direct violation of the lease agreement, as tenants are legally obligated to pay the rent on time as outlined in the contract. This failure can result in legal action by the landlord, including eviction.

Unauthorized alterations refer to any changes made to the rental property without the landlord's consent, which typically contravenes most lease agreements. This can include significant modifications like renovations or even minor changes that have not been approved, depending on the lease terms. Such alterations can affect the property's condition and value, leading to further legal and financial implications.

The other options do not fully capture the critical elements of a lease breach. For instance, late payment, while problematic, does not hold the same weight as outright non-payment, and minor changes, without any significant impact on the property or lease violations, often do not constitute a breach unless specifically prohibited in the lease. Tenant complaints, on the other hand, do not represent a breach but rather indicate communication between the tenant and landlord regarding the property's condition or management issues.