Seattle and Tacoma Lease Review and Drafting Attorneys

Get the Help You Need from the Seattle & Tacoma Lease Agreement Lawyers

Leases are critical real estate transactions. Complex agreements, every lease is different; and various clauses could be included that protect or reduce the property owner’s rights. A skilled lease drafting attorney can review your situation and advise you on the best options for your circumstances.

The Seattle & Tacoma lease agreement lawyers at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess give you objective and trustworthy legal advice. We have decades of experience advising clients on leases and drafting them. Leases are here to protect both parties and state what is expected.

A skilled lease contract attorney can help you write or review your lease. We identify problem areas and explain solutions we could use to protect your rights. Contact us now to schedule your consultation with a skilled attorney. Our team will guide you through drafting and reviewing any lease.

Protecting Your Rights with Residential and Commercial Leases

You want to always have a written lease agreement signed by all parties before the start of the lease. Leases list expectations, responsibilities, and what actions can be taken in the event of breach. Leases protect both parties’ rights should various situations arise.

For instance, if a tenant fails to pay the rent, the landlord has the right to evict them and take control of the property. Conversely, the landlord cannot unilaterally decide to raise the rent during the term of the lease. Any breaches of the lease could result in legal action asking the courts to terminate the lease, order payment of damages, or order both parties to honor the agreement.

We recommend speaking with Seattle and Tacoma lease review attorneys if you have concerns about your lease or need to have an agreement drafted. Our team of skilled professionals will guide you and give you objective legal advice that is customized to your situation.

Residential Leases

Leases are legally binding contracts that state the rights of each party. Most people assume that all leases are the same and contain similar provisions. Nothing is further from the truth; each lease is drafted based on the agreement and the needs of both parties. Those simple leases you find online will cover the essential issues but may not address complex problems, such as disputes. It is not uncommon for confusion to arise about who is responsible for repairs, upkeep, and other issues. You might not discover all of the problems with the lease until after the agreement is in force.

Our Seattle and Tacoma lease drafting attorneys can help you to create and review your lease. We recommend speaking with a lawyer about your lease before signing anything. You want to ensure your rights are protected and that you are not waiving any of them. A properly drafted lease agreement covers all the necessary provisions and protects your rights.

Commercial Leases

The majority of businesses rent commercial space from a landlord. They select the location to attract a specific type of customer or client. Companies rely on this location to build their brand and following. Leases state the expectations of the tenant and property owner. Tenants must pay the rent and perform basic upkeep. The landlord agrees to keep the property in excellent condition, pay the taxes and insurance, and perform necessary repairs.

The challenge is that you must fully understand your responsibilities when signing a lease. A skilled lease agreement attorney will help in drafting and reviewing your lease, clearly explaining the legal jargon contained in it. Leases are complex, and we will ensure that your rights are protected.

Proving Breach of the Lease

Breaches occur when one side fails to perform as promised, causing damages to the other party. The courts want to see evidence of an agreement and the damages, i.e.:

  • A valid lease is in place.
  • Proof that you performed your obligations or are justified by not doing so.
  • Proof that the defendant broke the contract and did not perform their obligations.
  • Proof that you suffer damages from the breach.

We prepare your case to show each of these elements and prove that you are entitled to damages. These standards are used for both residential and commercial leases.

What should be included in a Lease Agreement?

Lease agreements will vary depending on the tenant, landlord, and situation. You will find a list of clauses that landlords must include in leases, such as:

  • A description of the property you will be leasing
  • The terms of rental payments include the due date, penalties, and late fees
  • The required security deposits, what the landlord does with them, and how you will get them back once the lease ends
  • Conditions for terminating the lease and eviction.

Written rental agreements are required by state law if the lease is longer than 12 months. We recommend always providing or obtaining a written lease; it shows the responsibilities and lays out your rights.

The Landlord’s Responsibilities

The landlord has specific responsibilities under all leases, including:

  • Rent, security deposit, and eviction: The landlord can legally collect the rent on time, earn interest on your security deposit, and evict you for nonpayment.
  • Complies with all local and state laws: The landlord agrees that they are renting you a safe residential or commercial property. It must comply with all local and state laws and the owner will perform all necessary repairs (generally within 24 to 72 hours of notice).

We recommend speaking with a skilled attorney about the landlord’s responsibilities. We will review your lease and explain what areas are the landlord’s responsibility.

The Tenant’s Responsibilities

The tenant has responsibilities they agree to perform in the lease, including.

  • Paying the rent on time
  • Keeping the property in good condition and avoiding damage
  • Not to disturb the other tenants or neighbors
  • Performing regular maintenance on the facilities and fixtures.

A skilled lease agreement attorney will review your situation and discuss how we could protect you. Our knowledge and experience go a long way in giving you prudent and practical legal advice to make intelligent decisions.

Why Choose Us?

Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess lease attorneys have decades of experience drafting and reviewing leases. We understand the law and use this knowledge to help you understand your obligations and to caution if you are signing away your rights. Leases are complex, and a skilled lease agreement attorney will help you to make good choices.

Our team helps you to make prudent decisions by creating leases or assisting you in understanding those you currently have. We have five-star reviews for our knowledge, experience, and professionalism. Our team looks out for you to ensure that the lease gives you maximum protection with no surprises.

Contact our Seattle and Tacoma lease agreement lawyers to schedule your consultation with a skilled attorney. Our team will quickly review your situation and help you to draft or analyze a lease that is in your best interests.

How Can We Help?

Our team will always respond to your questions and concerns, advocating for your best interests.

We will draft and review your lease to protect your best interests. You work with an attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in addressing the most complex leases.

We give you objective advice that is customized to your situation.

The attorneys at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess make all the difference in creating a lease that protects you. Many residential and commercial tenants make a big mistake by assuming all leases are identical. Our team will help you to understand your lease and protect your rights. Contact us now to set up your appointment with a skilled attorney.

Attorney Robert Dickson

Attorney Robert DicksonThe 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 ]

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    Attorney Thomas L. Dickson

    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.

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    Attorney Heather Burgess

    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.

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    Attorney Robert P. Dickson

    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.

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    Attorney Daniel J. Frohlich

    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.

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    Attorney Mark S. Johnson

    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.

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    Attorney Trevor A. Zandell

    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.

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    Attorney Daniel E. Pizarro

    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.

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    Attorney Alexander J. Wisbey

    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.

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    Attorney Andrew Hata

    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.

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    Attorney Cambria A. Queen

    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.

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    Attorney George Knight

    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.

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    Attorney Chris Pierce-Wright

    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.

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    Attorney Jennifer Yoo

    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.

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    Attorney Kenneth Chan

    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.

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    Attorney Brian Buske

    Brian Buske

    Following his graduation from Lewis & Clark Law School, Brian garnered valuable client experience working on international compliance and intellectual property issues.

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    Attorney Matt Wand

    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.

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    I highly recommend Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess and if I ever need a lawyer again they will be my first call.

    - Jeremy H.

    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 received. I would recommend this group to anyone!

    - Keith D.

    It’s a pleasure to work with the guys at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess. One of the first things that stood out to me was how down to earth and friendly everyone at the firm is. I would definitely recommend them.

    - Den L.