Expected Behavior Of Commercial Property Lessees
Posted by Chris Channing | Posted in General Advice | Posted on 10-07-2010
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Applying for a lease on a property is a large step to move your business to the top of your local market. Being a good tenant can yield surprising results. It allows you to network yourself with the owner and have a good recommendation anywhere you go, as well as minimize chances of penalties.
The lease agreement should be read in detail. Even a short lease agreement can take half an hour or more to review, so be prepared for an extended period of review. If you are lucky you can convince the real estate owner to talk with you about each section so you don’t miss anything. Consulting a lawyer is another option if you aren’t sure what your duties and responsibilities will be.
Upon vacating the commercial area, you should take pictures of how everything is stationed. This will act as a guide for you to clean up should you need to terminate the agreement with the land owner. It will also prove innocence in a argument of property damage, and provide reference if there is an act of vandalism on the property.
A hard lesson learned is to always be on time with payments. If you don’t know the land owner personally, even being one day late can mean a nasty red mark on your credit report. If you think you will be short, do give a prompt phone call to the land owner to give notification of the fact.
Everyone likes to see a clean lot and building. What some business owners don’t know is that it could also be a requirement to keep the premises clean. If the property were to become dirty, it could lower the overall value of the property and neighboring properties. As such, there are usually clauses that spell out rules on cleaning the property. Clean up could include picking up cigarettes, assorted trash, and keeping lots free of leaves, snow, and foliage.
When renewal time comes up, think about what you plan on doing with your business. If you want to move to a new location, you are usually bound by the lease agreement to give proper notice before a certain date. Investors put this rule in to allow them ample time to find a new business to take on. If not done, the business could find themselves in an unexpected renewal. Fees may also be applied as stated in the lease documents.
Final Thoughts
Land owners are easy to get along with, so long as you can follow the rules they put down. If everyone follows the lease agreement to plan, there shouldn’t be any problems in conducting business for as long as you need. Good tenants tend to be successful ones.
Learn more on Houston commercial real estate and Maddy’s Market.
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