A person who has a life estate must maintain the property. This duty includes common upkeep so the property does not deteriorate. It also includes paying bills associated with the property, such as real estate taxes and insurance. A life estate owner has full rights to use the property during his lifetime. He may also lease or sell his interest in the life state, although he cannot sell the property itself. Life estates interests always end when the original life estate owner dies. Therefore, they can be difficult to sell or lease long term.