I signed a lease agreement to take possession of a store front on March 15th and now it is April 5th and I still do not have possession of the store because of contractors not finishing the repair work with the owner of the building. What can I expect in compensation for this?

Prorated rent and any lost income.

This is a legal question, not a small business question.

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Originally Posted by florist52

What can I expect in compensation for this?

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Hello florist:

Whatever your lease calls for. If it doesn't call for ANYTHING, then all you'll get is a rent abatement.

I'm sure you've been in contact with the landlord. What is he offering, if anything? You COULD always declare the landlord in breach, and find some place else. I don't know how bad you want to stay, or how bad the landlord wants you to stay. Any compensation, if it's NOT covered in your lease, and of course, it isn't, is subject to negotiation between you and your landlord.

excon

As excon indicated, commercial leases are m0ore like contracts then residential leases. This means that what is written in the contract is what covers any eventuality. So if the contract has no clauses or penalities for non performance then you may not be entitled to anything. You do not have to pay the rental due. You can sue for any real losses incurred as a result of the delay.