When a business begins to grow, the owners may seek to lease real estate where they can comfortably conduct their business. However, if a commercial lease does not consider a variety of future issues, the tenant and the landlord could become embroiled in a legal dispute regarding each party’s rights. If you are involved in a commercial lease dispute, you should consult with an experienced Columbia commercial lease dispute attorney.
The Heyman Law Firm understands how complex commercial lease disputes can disrupt a business, and we are here to offer you our services. Our firm has worked with residents across Maryland, and we would be honored to represent you. To schedule a confidential legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Heyman Law Firm at (410) 305-9287. You may also contact us online using our short submission form.
5 Common Commercial Lease Disputes in Columbia, MD
Columbia, MD commercial lease disputes can arise between a tenant and landlord for a variety of reasons. However, our firm can help guide you through the resolution of a commercial lease dispute.
Many commercial lease disputes occur because the tenant and the landlord failed to add vital provisions to their lease agreement. As a result, a landlord and tenant may engage in costly litigation to resolve a matter that could have possibly been handled in the contract. That is why it would be wise to consider having your lease agreement examined by an experienced attorney that will keep your interests in mind.
The following are common commercial lease disputes that the Heyman Law Firm are ready to litigate for you.
Subleasing Commercial Property
Subleasing is when a tenant in a commercial property rents their interest in a property to a third party. Many commercial leases will contain provisions about the procedure for subleasing the property to a third party. Many times, the contract will require a tenant to seek approval from the landlord prior to subleasing the property.
However, some contracts may be silent regarding whether a tenant can sublease a property to a third party. As a result, the tenant and landlord may disagree about whether subleasing the premises is permitted.
Another common issue regarding subleasing is determining whether the original tenant or the sublease tenant is liable to the landlord for rent, repairs, and other expenses. Under some circumstances, both parties will be liable to the landlord. However, a contract can alter terms regarding liability for subleasing.
Duty to Repair
Over the course of a tenancy, the commercial property will likely need repairs. The commercial lease should indicate which party is responsible for managing regular wear and tear of the property and other significant repairs that may need to be performed. However, if the contract is ambiguous regarding property repairs, this can create serious issues. In some cases, tenants may attempt to withdraw expenses for repairs from rent payments if they believe the landlord is liable for repairs.
Failure to Disclose Material Information
When a business owner is searching for a commercial property, they want to ensure that the property is fit for the purpose they intend to use it for. That is why a landlord needs to disclose all material information so that a potential tenant can make a decision regarding the property.
Unfortunately, some landlords may purposely fail to provide a tenant with material information regarding the condition of a property to avoid having to resolve the issue personally. For example, if a commercial building is infested with termites that are causing serious structural damage, the buyer should be notified before they execute the lease agreement.
If a landlord fails to uphold representations made to a tenant, this could open them up to liability for the concealment of material information.
Term of the Lease
Determining the length of the lease is a vital part of executing a commercial lease agreement. Both the landlord and tenant should be clear on when the lease terminates and the procedure for when a tenant or landlord wishes to terminate the lease early. However, if the contract does not adequately discuss these terms, a commercial lease dispute is likely to occur.
Summary Ejectment
When a commercial tenant in Columbia, MD defaults on their lease, the landlord of the property may seek a summary ejectment to remove them from the property. As a business will be greatly disrupted, a commercial tenant will likely take extensive measures to avoid a summary ejectment. If you are unsure of your rights in a summary ejectment claim, you should speak with an experienced Columbia MD commercial lease attorney as soon as possible.
There are many other commercial lease disputes that can occur between a landlord and a tenant. For example, the failure to turn over a commercial lease could easily lead to a dispute. If you are involved in another type of commercial lease dispute that is not discussed above, you should speak with one of our attorneys that can help you determine how to proceed with the dispute. Do not delay and let a commercial lease dispute negatively impact your business.
Work with Our Experienced Columbia, MD Commercial Lease Dispute Lawyers Today
If you need legal assistance to resolve a commercial lease dispute, contact an experienced Columbia commercial lease dispute lawyer. With extensive experience in various facets of business law, the dedicated legal team at the Heyman Law Firm is ready to help you manage your commercial lease dispute. To schedule a confidential legal consultation, contact the Heyman Law Firm at (410) 305-9287.