lease agreement with two pens

What Are the Key Clauses in NYC Lease Agreements?

When you’re signing a lease, you want to make sure that it actually covers all of the important things that could come up between a landlord and tenant. A well-written agreement will contain key clauses so that there is no confusion about the terms of your lease and what’s expected of everyone. If you have questions about these key clauses or want to make sure that a lease is complete before you sign, a New York City lease dispute lawyer from our firm may be able to help.

Which Key Clauses Should Be In Every Residential Lease?

Before signing any residential lease, you should make sure that it contains information about:

  • The rent amount
  • Whether pets are allowed or what types of pets are allowed
  • The amount of the security deposit and the timeline for returning it to the tenant
  • The length of the lease
  • Who is responsible for maintenance
  • What happens if the tenant breaks the lease early
  • Which utilities are provided by the landlord and which are the responsibility of the tenant
  • Occupancy limitations
  • Grounds for termination of a lease

What Are Some Key Clauses in Commercial Leases?

A commercial lease should address many of the key clauses above, but there are also some matters unique to a commercial lease. Your agreement should talk about:

The type of net lease: In most cases, residential tenants are responsible for rent and their utility costs, but they wouldn’t pay for other building-related expenses. In a commercial lease, a tenant could end up paying for expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The type of lease and split of expenses needs to be addressed in the lease.

If you can rent out space: Sometimes commercial renters sublease a portion of their space because it works out to their advantage financially. You should be sure that your lease talks about whether or not you can do this.

Do I Need a Lawyer When I Sign a Lease?

It’s a good idea to have a lawyer review any agreement you plan to sign. Having a lawyer review a residential lease is a good idea if anything strikes you as odd or if it seems like one of the key clauses mentioned above is not being addressed.

We always recommend that commercial tenants have a lawyer look over their lease though. Commercial leases last for more time and there are important issues that need to be addressed. No matter how confident you feel about the deal, it’s important to talk to a lawyer before you sign yourself and your business up for anything.

Talk to a Lease Dispute Attorney

If you have questions about your lease and you want to make sure that you’re getting a fair deal, contact Robert Rosenblatt & Associates. A lawyer from our firm can help you look over any contracts and make sure that a rental agreement is the right fit for you and your business.

Website Designed & Managed by