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View Full Version : We want to terminate our building lease that we signed for 3 years


Gretsky21
Dec 20, 2014, 12:02 PM
We signed a commercial building lease for 3 years and this June it will be one year. Our rent is 1250 monthly and we are having trouble making our rent due to business income. We are thinking of closing our small business only 1 year into the lease. Can we be sued over the remainding two years?

ma0641
Dec 20, 2014, 12:08 PM
Unless you can work something out with the LL, if you walk away you can, and most likely, will be sued. $30,000 is a lot to leave on the table

joypulv
Dec 20, 2014, 12:57 PM
Why would you think you couldn't be sued?

It is customary to negotiate a buyout of some amount of months, but the landlord can ignore any attempts at negotiation. But suing can be expensive for them, and it's way over the Small Claims limit. And there's no guarantee they will ever collect, even if they win. So a smart landlord negotiates, and a smart renter does too.

Go in with an offer. Offer to show your books or tax return and bank statement. Don't whine about about business failure - it's all just finances. I'd try for 3 more months paid over 6 months. Tell them that you will file for bankruptcy otherwise.

If you think that you could stay in business at 600 rent, try some REALLY clever negotiating. You could be month to month, evictable at any time, etc. An empty building costs them money, aside from a tax write off.