New Hampshire Commercial Lease: Types, Key Terms To Know, Costs

If your lease has a renewal option, then you renew by following that process, which involves giving notice during the specified time frame. If you did not include a renewal option in your lease, then you'll need to contact the landlord 6-12 months before the end of the term, and inform the landlord that you want to renew the lease. Then you'll have to negotiate the terms with the landlord.

In Massachusetts, a commercial tenant can sublet or even fully assign the unit to a third party - UNLESS there is a specific prohibition in the current lease. However, even if there is such a prohibition, it might still be worth speaking to the landlord about since it might be mutually beneficial.

The lease agreement should specifically provide when and in what amount any rent increases would occur. Usually on a lease with a five year term, rent would increase yearly. If you have a build out credit, you may have free rent for a term if you pay for the build out. If it is a net lease, meaning you pay rent and, either taxes, insurance and/or common area maintenance, you would have a base rent plus the other fees that could increase during the initial lease term usually yearly, but it could be more than one time a year if the costs of these items increase. The rent would also likely increase yearly. If the lease is a gross lease, you will have one monthly rental payment that would increase (most likely) yearly.

Yes! Before signing any contract/agreement/lease, or anything that appears to be a binding agreement, it is worth the money to have a lawyer review it. I charge a flat fee to review any and all agreements, so my clients know up front what they are paying, and they consider it a cost of doing business. The alternative, i.e. not having a lawyer review your agreements prior to signing, can be, and usually is, exponentially more expensive should a conflict arise (and they often do).

In a North Carolina commercial lease agreement, it is common for the landlord to be responsible for major maintenance and repairs (including structural issues) and the tenant to be responsible for minor maintenance and repairs (including general wear and tear). However, the landlord and the tenant may agree to alternative arrangements in the written lease. The best way to more fully understand your specific maintenance and repair responsibilities under a specific lease agreement is to have an attorney review the agreement and discuss it with you. Good luck!