Owner Wins

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Facts: In April, an owner and tenant signed a lease for retail space in a shopping center that was still under construction. The lease provided that the owner would deliver the property to the tenant in an improved condition specified in the lease by the time the lease was to start, in June. The lease also included a rent abatement provision, stating that the tenant could exercise it if the building was not in the promised improved condition when the lease starte...

Facts: A clause in a lease between a retail tenant and shopping center owner generally exempted the owner from liability and stated that an insurance claim was the tenant's sole recourse for the owner's negligence. Another paragraph specifically precluded the tenant from suing the owner for damages arising out of any remodeling that might take place at the center, but provided for abatement of a portion of the rent under that circumstance.

Facts: A representative of a technology services firm toured a vacant building with two prospective owners who were considering buying the property, but only if they could find an appropriate tenant for it. The representative expressed interest in renting the space, but didn't sign a lease or other documents that would obligate the firm to rent the space if the owners went through with the sale.

Facts: For over 30 years, an auto body business rented commercial property made up of several buildings. Ten years into the lease, the tenant built a small building on the property to use as a “paint room” where it could paint cars it had repaired. A few years later, it renewed the lease for a 20-year term, with an option to purchase the property. The tenant could exercise the option at any time during the lease if it gave 60-days' notice.

Facts: The owner of a strip mall and a tenant signed a three-year lease for space in which the tenant was to operate its salon and spa.

Facts: A franchised restaurant tenant signed a lease with a property owner/developer while the shopping center where it would rent space was still being developed. The tenant as a corporation signed the lease as both tenant and guarantor.

Facts: The exclusive-use provision in a tenant's lease barred the owner from renting space in its shopping center to other tenants that sold stationary and school supplies. Several months later a school supply store opened in the center, but the tenant didn't object.

Facts: A tenant that operated a thrift store was evicted for nonpayment of rent. The owner believed the store's inventory, which the tenant had left behind, was “junk” and disposed of it without waiting 15 days—the statutory period during which tenants have an opportunity to reclaim personal property left in the space they rented.

Facts: Under its lease, a tenant was responsible for maintaining the space it rented to operate its restaurant. The tenant was also prohibited from making alterations and improvements without written approval. “Events of default” included nonperformance of these or any lease obligations and nonpayment of rent, following written notice from the owner and an opportunity to “cure”—that is, remedy—the violations.

Facts: A tenant signed a five-year lease to operate its restaurant in a strip mall. After two years, the tenant asked the owner if it could sublet the space to another restaurant tenant, but the owner refused to sign a consent agreement. The tenant went ahead with its plans to sublet its space anyway.