Are you in the process of finding a commercial property for your business in Pittsburgh? As a business owner, it’s crucial to understand that the terms of a commercial lease agreement can either benefit or harm your business. Seeking legal assistance to comprehend these terms is of the utmost importance.Â
Business owners seeking a commercial lease agreement can reap significant benefits from the unparalleled experience of the commercial real estate attorneys at Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP. With decades of experience representing commercial tenants in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, our team is adept at providing efficient legal counsel that not only safeguards your legal rights but also protects your business interests.Â
Commercial Lease Review and Negotiation
A well-negotiated lease can be valuable in bolstering your business’s success. Conversely, signing a poorly written lease without negotiation can become a significant liability. Discussing your business goals with an experienced attorney skilled in negotiating commercial leases can help you avoid pitfalls in the future.
The attorneys at Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP, can work with you to draft and negotiate a thorough, legally enforceable commercial lease, which may be able to prevent you from trying to undo a lease agreement you’ve already signed. Our attorneys have extensive experience reviewing and negotiating important provisions within the lease.
If you’ve been asked to sign an existing lease agreement, it’s crucial to speak to an attorney before you do so. An attorney can review the lease agreement and identify any red flags carefully. Many real estate brokers pressure business owners to sign a Letter of Intent. They may tell you the letter isn’t legally binding, but it’s essential to trust the advice of an experienced attorney before signing any letters or agreements. You may unintentionally sign a binding legal agreement without speaking to an attorney.
Critical Issues to Negotiate in a Commercial Lease Agreement
There are several critical issues to negotiate when negotiating a commercial lease agreement. Most commercial lease agreements are complex and challenging to understand because of their boilerplate language and complexity. For example, you will want to ensure that you and your spouse or other family members won’t be required to guarantee the business lease obligations personally. When it is impossible to avoid personal guarantees, an attorney can help you negotiate limits on the personal guarantee clauses.
At Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP, we help business owners by reviewing lease agreements and helping them understand their rights and responsibilities according to the lease so they can make informed decisions. When critical issues in a lease agreement can’t be negotiated to be more favorable to business owners, finding another property may become necessary.
Negotiating the Term of a Commercial Lease
As a business owner, it’s important to carefully consider the length of time you commit to a commercial lease. The amount of time you may want to spend in a location may vary based on the nature of the location, your business needs, and the type of business you’ll be conducting there.
Small business owners, or do business owners, consider negotiating for a shorter lease term until they can determine their business’s profitability. Consider negotiating to include an option to renew your lease. In that case, you can stay if your business is thriving in the location. However, you can also include an easy exit provision that won’t result in harsh penalties.
Determining a Fair Rent Price
Attempting to negotiate a fair rent price can be a daunting task. However, with the guidance of an experienced real estate attorney, you can compare similar properties in the area and develop a realistic idea of the rental rate. This underscores the value of an attorney in ensuring you get a fair deal.Â
You should also be careful when agreeing to triple net leases unless you are sure you understand all the terms and are willing to comply with them from a financial standpoint. An attorney can also help you consider fees and expenses that are often overlooked but can quickly add up. For example, your attorney can help you negotiate better utilities, insurance, management fees, and maintenance expenses and ensure the property owner covers the brokerage commissions.
Understanding the Default Provisions in Lease Agreements
None of us can predict the future, so it’s essential to secure as much protection as possible upfront should you become unable to pay your lease. An attorney can help you negotiate a longer grace period before the property owner can initiate a forcible detainer action against your business.
You can include a payment in the circumstances. An early termination clause that allows renters to pay a penalty for breaking the lease prematurely but doesn’t hold the renter to the lease obligation. After that, it can also be beneficial.
Representing Business Owners in Litigation
Working with an attorney to negotiate and draft a favorable commercial lease agreement can help you avoid litigation. However, litigation can be unavoidable. If you are a business owner leasing commercial property and you’re involved in a dispute with your landlord, hiring an attorney as soon as possible can help you protect yourself.
The real estate attorneys at Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP, will work tirelessly to negotiate the dispute to keep it out of court to save you money and time. Our trial-ready attorneys will advocate for you in court if litigation becomes necessary. We’re a full-service law firm, and we have a proven track record of advocating for clients in and out of Pennsylvania courtrooms, ensuring your peace of mind.
Contact a Lease Agreement Attorney in Pittsburgh
If you are a business owner looking for a location to operate your business, carefully consider the terms in your commercial lease agreement. Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP will carefully review the lease agreement, identify any red flags, and negotiate more favorable terms for you. Don’t hesitate to contact Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace LLP to schedule an initial case evaluation with a skilled commercial real estate attorney in Pittsburgh.