The relationship between corporate tenants and their landlords is generally governed by several local and state statutes. Even so, the most vital source of information about the occupancy rules and regulations are stipulated in the rental agreement. Some rules vary from one landlord to another, which makes it imperative for a corporate tenant to know which ones infringe on his rights and which ones are within the permitted parameters.
Here are some of the rights that corporate tenants have:
1. Right to Equality and Non-discrimination
Rental discrimination is illegal under federal law. This means that the rights to equality and non-discrimination also extend to commercial real estate. Corporate tenants have the right to rent a commercial property regardless of their national origin, color, race, disability, sex, religion, or familial status.
2. Right to Health and Safety
Just like in residential real estate, commercial real estate also demands that tenants have rights to a habitable space and environment. A corporate tenant has the right to ask the landlord to eradicate or repair any condition that affects the health and safety of his employees, clients and customers.
To enhance safety, landlords should install smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and avoid installation of slippery floors, etc. Nevertheless, landlords are not obligated to make repairs if the corporate tenant, his employees or customers cause unhealthy or unsafe conditions through carelessness, negligence, accident or abuse.
3. Right to Eviction Notice
Landlords have the right to evict corporate tenants if the latter breach their commercial lease. Failure to pay rent, committing a crime on the premises, and permitting animals in the premises are some of the common reasons why tenants get evicted. Even so, tenants have a right to get a notice of eviction. The notice should be presented in good time so that the tenant can have time to find another place to relocate to.
4. Right to Disclosures
A corporate tenant has a right to disclosures that may affect his business or influence the perception of his employees or customers. Local codes dictate the things that landlords are required to disclose to their tenants prior to renting out space, i.e. disease outbreak, suicide, or violent deaths that may have occurred on the property. Moreover, a tenant shouldn’t be harassed by the landlord if he supplies answers to a curious new tenant regarding the building.
5. Right to Privacy
There are also corporate tenants’ right regarding property access. After a corporate tenant occupies rented space, the landlord has to give a notice in advance before entering the property either for repairs or for any other reason. However, there are obvious exceptions in unavoidable or emergency situations.
In addition to the above 5 rights, corporate tenants also have a right to peace and quiet, right to security, and right to have their security deposit back when relocating. To protect his renter’s rights, a corporate tenant should read his lease carefully so that he can understand what he is agreeing to. Developing open communication with the landlord can also be helpful.
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