By: Kyle H. Jensen

Tenants determining whether commercial property is suitable for their business often consider the location and appearance of the property, the cost to rent the property, and other similar business factors. Unfortunately, many tenants, especially those new to leasing property, fail to consider numerous other issues that, while perhaps not directly related to the operation of their business, have a significant impact on their business.

One of the most important steps a tenant must take when considering whether to lease property is to read the entire lease provided by the landlord before signing. A tenant may trust the prospective landlord; however, what is agreed to verbally may not be enforceable unless it is put in writing and included in the lease. Therefore, it is important to review the lease to confirm the agreed upon terms, such as amount of rent, length of term, and size and location of the leased premises, are included in the lease.

It is also important to confirm there are no terms within the lease that are harmful to the tenant or its business. For example, landlords often include a provision in their lease that allows them to relocate the tenant. This may be acceptable to some tenants, but other tenants have chosen a property because it is uniquely suited to their purposes and relocation could significantly harm or even destroy their business. If there are any terms within the lease that are harmful to a tenant, the tenant must determine whether such terms can be removed or if the tenant must walk from the property.

The allocation of maintenance obligations between the tenant and landlord is another important term for tenants to consider. Landlords often place most if not all of the maintenance obligations on the tenant. This can be appropriate, especially in stand-alone buildings with one tenant; however, when there is shared space and multiple suites, such as in a shopping center, it is important that the landlord, at the very least, be obligated to maintain the foundations, exterior walls, roof, and any common spaces (such as parking lots), for the benefit of all the tenants on the property. Tenants should also consider whether the they want the landlord responsible for maintenance of expensive systems serving the property, such as the heating, ventilation and air- conditioning system.

Some questions a tenant should when reviewing a lease are: (i) who is responsible for payment of utilities to the property, (ii) what is the grace period for failing to pay rent on time and are there late fees, (iii) what are the landlord’s remedies if the tenant defaults, (iv) does the tenant’s obligation to pay rent abate if the premises is not tenantable, (v) does the lease authorize tenant’s intended use of the property, and (vi) does the lease provide for sufficient parking for the tenant’s use? In addition to the foregoing questions, tenants should consider whether they want to include any tenant favorable provisions such as: (i) an option to extend the term of the lease, (ii) an early termination right, or (iii) an option to lease additional space in the property when such space is available.

While it is important that tenants review their lease, it is also important that tenants carefully and thoroughly inspect the prospective property, especially if the tenant has broad maintenance obligations. Generally, a lease provides the tenant is taking the property in its “as-is” condition. Accordingly, it is important that tenants inspect the property to confirm it is in good condition and suitable for tenants needs. If there are any issues with the property, the tenant should require the landlord remedy such issues before the tenant takes possession of the property. Properly investigating the property before entering into the lease will protect the tenant from costly and unforeseen repairs or maintenance bills after taking possession of the property.

Kyle Jensen is an attorney with the law firm Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A. in Lakeland. Questions can be submitted to thelaw@cclmlaw.com.

By Michael E. Workman, Esq.
Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A.

Often a tenant will want to make improvements to the premises that it is leasing from a landlord, and sometimes the lease agreement will require the tenant to make improvements. When the tenant contracts for the construction of such improvements, construction liens can attach to the tenant’s leasehold interest in the leased premises pursuant to Florida’s Construction Lien Law. However, the Construction Lien Law also provides a way for the landlord to protect its fee simple interest in the leased premises from the tenant’s construction liens.

A lot in a mobile home park leased to the owner of a mobile home will not be subject to tenant liens. In other instances, the landlord’s interest in the leased premises will not be subject to construction liens for the tenant’s improvements if: a) the lease agreement expressly states that the landlord’s interest shall not be subject to liens for tenant improvements; and b) the lease agreement or a memorandum of the lease that contains the express language prohibiting liens for tenant improvements is recorded in the public records where the leased premises are located prior to the recording of the Notice of Commencement for the tenant improvements.

If the lease agreement expressly states that the landlord’s interest shall not be subject to liens for tenant improvements, then the tenant is required to notify its contractor of the provisions in the lease agreement. The knowing or willful failure of the tenant to provide such notice to the contractor makes the contract between the tenant and contractor voidable at the contractor’s option. A tenant’s contractor may make written demand upon the landlord for a copy of the lease provisions prohibiting liens for tenant improvements, and the copy provided by the landlord must be verified in writing as being true under penalties of perjury.

It is critical that a landlord strictly comply with the provisions of the Construction Lien Law to protect the landlord’s interest in the leased premises from tenant liens. Negotiating lease terms can be a complicated process, and an experienced real estate attorney can help guide you along the way.

Michael E. Workman is a shareholder with the law firm of Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A., in Lakeland. Questions can be submitted to thelaw@cclmlaw.com

By:  J. Matthew Kelly, Esq.
Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A.

Are you dealing with a problem tenant or an unwelcome house guest? If so, Florida law provides three mechanisms for removing an individual from possession of real property – eviction, unlawful detainer, and ejectment.

Eviction

The most common way to remove an individual from possession of real property is an eviction proceeding. An eviction proceeding in Florida is governed by Chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes. An eviction is the appropriate proceeding to remove an individual who leased the premises but has violated the lease or has failed to pay rent.

The most common eviction example is against a tenant who has failed to pay rent. In a situation where a tenant has failed to pay rent, the first step in the eviction proceeding is to provide the tenant with a three-day notice. This is a document designed to inform the tenant that he has failed to pay rent and is indebted to the landlord. The three-day notice has certain legal requirements as to its content and method of delivery. If the three-day notice is defective in content or delivery it can significantly delay any eviction proceeding.

Once a three-day notice has been delivered, the tenant has three days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to pay the demanded rent or to vacate the premises. If the tenant fails to pay the rent, or vacate the premises, the landlord may then file an eviction complaint with the court. Once a tenant is served with an eviction complaint, the tenant has five days to answer the complaint. If the tenant fails to answer the complaint the landlord can seek a default judgment; which would avoid the need for a trial. If a default occurs, the landlord can move for a final judgment and writ of possession to restore them to possession of the property.

If a tenant chooses to contest or defend against the eviction proceeding for grounds other than that the rent has been paid, the tenant is required to pay into the registry of the court alleged rent owed as described in the complaint. If the tenant fails to pay the alleged rent owed, or fails to challenge the rent amount, the tenant waives his defenses and the landlord is entitled to a default judgment in the eviction proceeding and a writ of possession to restore the landlord to possession of the property. A successful landlord is entitled to recover his reasonable attorney’s fees expended in the eviction process.

Unlawful Detainer

An unlawful detainer action is governed by Chapter 82 of the Florida Statutes. An unlawful detainer action can be used to remove an individual who is residing in a home, does not have a legal right to the home, and where there was never a lease agreement. The person bringing the unlawful detainer action must have a legal right to the residence or property; that is to say, the person bringing the action must own the property or be the legal tenant of the property.

The most common uses of this type of action involve a significant other who has moved in but a break-up occurs and the significant other refuses to leave, removal of a troubled family member who was invited in to get back on their feet but fails to obey house rules, removal of a friend who was once a welcome guest but has now refused to leave, or even squatters that have moved into a residence without permission.

Unlike an eviction, an action for unlawful detainer does not require specific notices prior to being able to file the action with the court. Like an eviction, an action for unlawful detainer requires the person you are attempting to remove to respond in five days.

The important thing to remember with an unlawful detainer action is that there must not be a landlord-tenant relationship or an agreement for payment of rent. If this kind of relationship exists an eviction proceeding is the proper mechanism for removal.

Ejectment

An ejectment action is governed by Chapter 66 of the Florida Statutes. An ejectment action is most commonly used in a similar manner to an unlawful detainer action. Like an unlawful detainer action, ejectment is commonly aimed at girlfriends, boyfriends, family members, friends, or other individuals who have overstayed their welcome where there is no landlord-tenant relationship.

There are two main distinctions between an ejectment action and unlawful detainer action. Ejectment actions are not summary proceedings, meaning ejectment may take longer to reach the goal of removal compared to an eviction or unlawful detainer action. Secondly, an ejectment is the appropriate action when the individual you are attempting to remove may claim some form of entitlement to the property. An example of this would be where the person you are attempting to remove claims some form of ownership of the property.

Florida law provides numerous mechanisms for removal of problem tenants or unwelcome house guests. It can often be difficult to determine which type of action is best for your situation. It is also easy to hit roadblocks throughout the removal process that can significantly delay any removal. If you are faced with taking legal action to remove an individual from your property I recommend hiring an experienced attorney to guide the process.

Matthew Kelly is an attorney with the law firm Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A. in Lakeland. Questions can be submitted to thelaw@cclmlaw.com.