Which of the following best describes the role of residential tenancy laws?

The role of residential tenancy laws is primarily to govern the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. These laws establish a legal framework that ensures fairness in the rental process, outlining the obligations that both parties must adhere to during the tenancy.

This includes regulations on lease agreements, maintenance responsibilities, eviction processes, security deposits, and various protections against unfair practices. By defining these rights and responsibilities, residential tenancy laws aim to create a balanced relationship between landlords and tenants, ensuring that each party is aware of their duties and protections under the law. This framework helps to prevent disputes and provides a clear course of action in case conflicts arise, ultimately promoting justice and equity in housing arrangements.

The other options do not accurately reflect the purpose of residential tenancy laws, which are to maintain a fair and regulated environment for both landlords and tenants, rather than serving one party's interests exclusively or promoting illegal activities.