- SEATTLE: 206-621-1110
- TACOMA: 253-572-1000
- PORTLAND: 971-416-0881
- OLYMPIA: 360-742-3500
Commercial Landlord-Tenant Law
The lawyers at the Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess have more than 100 years of combined legal experience protecting the rights of businesses and other parties in Seattle and Tacoma. If you have a commercial tenancy matter, we can help you stand up for the best interests of your business.
CALL FOR A FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION IN SEATTLE AT 206-621-1110 OR TACOMA AT 253-572-1000.
Providing careful review of commercial leases
No two commercial leases1 are the same and, just like any other type of contract, every business owner should carefully review lease agreements before signing as this can be a very important document. The lease sets out the legal rights and responsibilities of landlord and tenant, but may also contain some provisions that may not be clear to you and may limit your rights as a tenant.
Such provisions may cover the following issues:
- Creating personal liability for business owners or managers under the lease agreement
- Extra costs pass through to the tenant
- Tenant responsible for increased taxes if the landlord sells the building
- Restrictions on use of the space
- Restrictions on services provided by the landlord
- Parking restrictions
- Limitations on options to renew the lease
- Early termination options
- Limitations on subleases
- Unreasonable disclaimers regarding the state of the property
These are only a few examples of potentially harmful commercial lease provisions that you want to avoid through careful review of a commercial lease. You do not want to find yourself without a physical space in which to run your business or suddenly facing substantial costs of which you were unaware.
Standing up for commercial tenants
Outside the lease agreement itself, there are many potential legal issues that commercial landlords may face. For example, the space may not be ready or available for you to use on the first day of the lease, which can cause you to postpone operations and lose profits. Additionally, no matter what the lease requires, many commercial landlords fail to properly maintain the premises, some even to the point where it violates your right of habitability2. As you can imagine, such commercial tenancy matters can significantly affect the success of your business.
The law often assumes that businesses are more sophisticated tenants than residential tenants and thus does not provide as many legal protections for businesses regarding tenancy matters. However, an experienced attorney can help protect your best interests before you sign a lease and can stand up for your rights if any other problems arise.
Call to meet with our experienced commercial tenancy lawyers today
If you operate a bricks-and-mortar business, chances are good that you will face some type of commercial tenancy issues at some point. Please do not hesitate to contact the skilled commercial tenancy lawyers at the Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess for a consultation today.
IF YOU ARE IN SEATTLE, PLEASE CALL 206-621-1110 OR 253-572-1000 IN TACOMA.
Sources:
- 1. http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/commercial-lease-basics-29934.html
- 2. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/implied_warranty_of_habitability
Featured Testimonial
“I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate this firm! These guys helped me through one of the most challenging legal situations I’ve faced in my life. Their skill and expertise literally saved my business. I’ve dealt with other counsel in the past but the Dickson firm was by far the most competent and tactful counsel I’ve ever recieved. I would recommend this group to anyone!”
Attorney Robert Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners. His is a practical approach to law, which strives to balance the need for a successful legal outcome with a client’s financial goals (or constraints). Outside of his private practice, Rob serves as an adjunct professor at the Seattle University School of Law where he teaches real estate litigation. [ Attorney Bio ]
Thomas L. Dickson
Tom is an experienced litigator and the founding partner of the firm. For over 30 years, he’s helped clients prevail in their real estate, construction, and business law matters.
Heather Burgess
Heather represents property owners and developers in all phases of real estate development, from pre-acquisition due diligence through local permitting and appeals.
Robert P. Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners.
Daniel J. Frohlich
Dan’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and probate law. He has more than 10 years of experience as an attorney serving clients throughout Western Washington.
Mark S. Johnson
Mark’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and family law. He works tirelessly to help his clients achieve the outcome they are looking for.
Trevor A. Zandell
Since graduating with honors from law school in 2005, Trevor has been serving the legal needs of businesses, individuals, and families across Southwest Washington.
Daniel E. Pizarro
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Daniel is active in the firm’s civil litigation department. His practice is mainly centered around real estate law, landlord-tenant law, construction law, and probate law.
Alexander J. Wisbey
Alexander Wisbey comes to the firm with 5 years of experience as a litigator and trial attorney. He has first chaired several jury trials and has extensive experience handling arbitrations, mediations, depositions, and settlements.
Andrew Hata
Andrew is the head of our Transactional Department and focuses his practice on corporate governance, real estate transactions, commercial contracts, and corporate finance.
Kelley Duggan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kelley practices in a wide range of areas, including estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and intellectual property law.
Cambria A. Queen
Cambria is an Associate with Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess in the civil litigation department, where she practices primarily real estate and probate law.
George Knight
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, George is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. His practice is mainly centered around business law, real estate law, construction law, employment law, and probate law.
Chris Pierce-Wright
Chris comes to Phillips Burgess Tacoma from Seattle, where he served as an associate attorney focused on insurance litigation with Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson.
Jennifer Yoo
Jennifer is an associate attorney at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess where her current practice focuses on real estate law, contract and commercial disputes, and business law.
Katherine E. Baals
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Katherine practices in a range of areas, including real estate, construction, business, and civil litigation.
Kenneth Chan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, PLLC, Kenny is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. Prior to working at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kenny was an in-house attorney for a Fortune 100 company.
Brian Buske
Following his graduation from Lewis & Clark Law School, Brian garnered valuable client experience working on international compliance and intellectual property issues.
Kyla S. Bennett
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kyla practices in a range of areas, including real estate, land use, and civil litigation.
Matt Wand
Matt was born and raised in East Multnomah County in the Gresham area where he lives and has raised his family. His wife of more than twenty-five years is Anne Wand and they have three children together.
