Commercial Landlord-Tenant Disputes

When people think about landlord-tenant disputes, they normally are referring to residential renters who get into arguments with their landlords over payment, conditions on the property, and so forth. However, many businesses are renters as well, choosing the relatively cheap path of renting out their business space rather than purchasing real estate. However, commercial renters can have just as many problems with their landlords as residential renters do, and sometimes they can be even more intense.

Of course, many of the issues that plague residential landlord-tenant relationships can also afflict commercial landlords and tenants as well. Disputes over rent payments are reasonably common, whether because the tenants are late with their payments, or because the landlord decides to suddenly increase the rent. A landlord may also fail to uphold their duty to maintain hospitable conditions on the property by not repairing dangerous or obnoxious issues that arise, such as a problem with the heating system or a termite infestation.

However, the fact that it’s a commercial property adds additional potential issues. After all, most businesses select a property because it suits the needs of their business, such as its geographical location, or perhaps the building has special structures (like loading bays) that are necessary for the business to run. Either way, if issues arise on the property that obstruct business, that could give rise to a landlord-tenant dispute as well.

On some occasions, a landlord may even become hostile to a tenant, perhaps out of personal animosity, or perhaps because the landlord believes they aren’t making as much out of their rental agreement as they could be with a new tenant. In such cases, a landlord might deliberately make efforts to force their current tenant out of the property, potentially violating the warranty of habitability in the process. Not only does that make your life more miserable, but it makes it that much harder to simply run your business and make a living.

If you are involved in a dispute with your landlord, or you’re a landlord dealing with a problematic tenant, you’ll need legal counsel to advise you of your rights and protect your interests. The real estate law attorneys at Wingate, Kearney, & Cullen, LLP have offices in Brooklyn and Long Island, New York.  The firm is experienced in handling commercial landlord-tenant disputes. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (718) 852-5900 or fill out our contact form.