A security deposit is the landlord’s attempt to mitigate the risk of a tenant that cannot, or will not, honor its lease obligations.  A landlord will review a prospective tenant’s financial statements, operating history, and reputation to determine this risk. 

Tena...

There are a variety of maintenance and repair items with respect to leased premises and the building or shopping center that need to be addressed in the lease.  Several of these items should be landlord’s responsibility, and a diligent tenant will address these items s...

A security deposit is the landlord’s attempt to mitigate the risk of a tenant that cannot, or will not, honor its lease obligations.  A landlord will review a prospective tenant’s financial statements, operating history, and reputation to determine this risk. 

Tena...

In a lease, 'additional rent' generally is defined as any amount due to landlord by tenant that is over and above base rent.  Depending on the lease, the big three additional rent items are (i) common area maintenance costs, (ii) real estate taxes, and (iii) landlord’s...

Generally speaking, a tenant should be allowed to have control over the aesthetic design and construction standards of its leased premises. 

Subject to a landlord’s signage and construction requirements, certain prior approval from landlord, and applicable law, the tena...

As part of the lease negotiation process, the tenant should make sure it obtains landlord’s approval for the type and design of signage that it needs, as well as the number and location of the signs.

Office Tenant Signage

An office tenant may need relatively minimal sign...

If having a competitor in the same retail center would be detrimental to the tenant’s business, the tenant could negotiate an exclusive use right into its lease for either the type of store or particular products.   

The Exclusive Right

An exclusive use right e...

Utilities, trash, and utility interruptions are three relatively straightforward topics, but they are important to understand because of how extremely key they are to a smooth business operation.

Who Provides?

For the utilities, it is important for the tenant and the lan...

There are a variety of maintenance and repair items with respect to leased premises and the building or shopping center that need to be addressed in the lease.  Several of these items should be landlord’s responsibility, and a diligent tenant will address these items s...

Generally speaking, a tenant should be allowed to have control over the aesthetic design and construction standards of its leased premises. 

Subject to a landlord’s signage and construction requirements, certain prior approval from landlord, and applicable law, the tena...