After a hearing on the merits, the trial court found the following facts. In December 1993, the defendants signed an agreement with the plaintiff to lease a property known as the Temperance Tavern (tavern) in Gilmanton. The tavern had previously been operated as a bed and breakfast inn, and the trial court found that “[a]lthough [the] defendants lived on the rented premises, . . . they rented the premises for the purpose of operating a bed and breakfast.” The agreement provided for monthly rent of $1,500 and a twelve-month term. As part of the agreement, the defendants tendered a $5,000 security deposit to the plaintiff. The agreement gave the defendants the option to purchase the tavern and further stated that in the event that the tavern was sold to another party, the plaintiff would reimburse the defendants $1,000 for each month they occupied the tavern.