Q & A
June 25, 2014
Q: I’m contemplating signing a lease with a tenant that will require the tenant to construct its own building at my shopping center and require me to pay a construction allowance within a certain period of time after the tenant opens for business. The tenant is negotiating for provisions...
Drafting Tips
June 25, 2014
A prospective tenant that’s negotiating to lease an entire building or a large space may want to inspect the condition of the space or the underlying property before signing the lease. For example, it might want to do environmental testing or have an engineer or contractor check the condition...
Owner Loses
June 25, 2014
Facts: A dry cleaning business in a shopping center incorrectly installed commercial dryers in its space without using a professionally trained installer. It vented the dryers into the attic instead of to the building’s exterior. The shoddy installation later caused a fire. The center’s...
Owner Wins
June 25, 2014
Facts: The restrictive covenant in a restaurant’s lease with a shopping center owner prohibited the owner from leasing to other “diner type” restaurants. When the owner began building out a portion of the center for a national specialty-hamburger restaurant and began negotiations...
Owner Loses
June 25, 2014
Facts: An office tenant’s lease contained two conflicting provisions regarding the time frame in which the owner was required to fix damage to the tenant’s space. After a roof collapse led to flooding and damage that forced the tenant out of its space temporarily, the tenant—under...
Feature
May 27, 2014
The popularity of mixed-used properties—buildings with both residential occupants and retail tenants—has increased in recent years, creating a unique opportunity for some owners who can reap the benefits of such an arrangement. For example, popular retail tenants are exposed to...
Negotiating Tips
May 27, 2014
While the economy has steadily improved in many areas, it’s still important to protect yourself from the perils of a bankrupt tenant. When negotiating with a prospective tenant—especially one that’s small or not financially strong—keep in mind that if it experiences...
Q & A
May 27, 2014
Q: A tenant at my shopping center has been late paying rent two months in a row. I’ve heard that if I continue to accept late rent each month, the tenant could argue that the lease has been modified by my actions and it’s entitled to pay late. I suspect that the tenant is struggling. I...
Dos & Don'ts
May 27, 2014
Depending on whether your property manager is a third party or works directly for you, it will probably check in differently. Because it’s providing financial information to you, a third-party property manager is obligated to report to you at least monthly regarding financial issues and any...
Owner Loses
May 27, 2014
Facts: A shopper tripped and fell on a two-tiered sidewalk in front of two retail stores. The sidewalk was marked with red paint to warn pedestrians about the drop-off from the upper to the lower level. Still, various employees of the tenants noted that they had witnessed pedestrians trip on the...
