Virginia Commercial Lease Agreement Template




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A Virginia Commercial Lease Agreement serves as a reciprocal contract between you and the property owner. This accord grants you the permission to occupy a space for your enterprise activities during a predetermined period, and at an agreed-upon cost. It's customized based on the precise functions your venture aims to execute on the premises. Ensure you grasp all its components prior to affixing your signature.

What are the related laws for Commercial Lease Agreements in Virginia?

Indeed, the Title 8.2A, specifically its Article 2A of the Uniform Commercial Code, tackles matters related to leases. This includes a range of processes, explanations, and conditions that oversee the constitution, alteration, execution, and violation of lease agreements.

As detailed in certain parts of the article:

  • Section 8.2A-103 elaborates on definitions, enumerating various terminologies related to lease contracts and their corresponding interpretations.
  • Section 8.2A-219 converses loss of risk scenarios, explaining when and under what stipulations, the risk of loss from commodities ensues.
  • Section 8.2A-506 establishes the decree of limitations in resolving lease contract complications. It specifies that involved parties can lessen the limitations phase to a minimum of one year.

Laws — Title 8.2A, Article 2A: Virginia Uniform Commercial Code

 

What's included in a Virginia Commercial Lease Agreement?

Here are some key components that are typically included in a Virginia Commercial Lease Agreement:

  1. Permitted Uses
  2. Term and Option to Extend
  3. Repairs and Maintenance
  4. Alterations
  5. Insurance
  6. Events of Default
  7. Holdover

How to write a Commercial Lease Agreement

As an entrepreneur, the intricate legal terminology could be intimidating. Yet, armed with a lucid plan and sound advice, you can confidently frame your lease agreement. Let's delve into the fundamental elements of a commercial lease agreement and how to customize it to suit your necessities - regard this as your amicable, uncomplicated guide to steer through the domain of commercial leases.

1. Permitted Uses

The "Authorized Uses" provision delineates the usage of the leased premises. It lucidly describes the permissible operations, incorporating industrial activities, administrative tasks, warehouse functionality, logistics, and the fabrication and circulation of goods.

It's vital to meticulously document your projected business operations in this area. This precision aids in preempting any potential legal complications and guarantees effective utilization of resources. Register every nuance to forego unexpected events. This comprehension ensures your enterprise stays on course.

Industrial and light manufacturing, warehousing, office, distribution, and assembly, including designing, manufacturing and distributing branded merchandise and promotional products, including all activities incident or ancillary thereto and all other lawful uses and purposes.

2. Term and Option to Extend

(a) This pertains to the lease duration and potential prolongation. It commences on the Activation Date and concludes on the Termination Date. You have the ability to lengthen it for two additional duo-year frames under identical stipulations, although the rent may elevate. Alert the property owner in written form 30 days prior to the termination date to enact the extension.

(b) "Duration" denotes your initial lease period along with any possible extensions.

Distinct lease durations are essential for strategizing your business plan and streamlining operations, and also for considering potential extensions.

(a)    The initial term of this Lease will commence on the Effective Date and expire on the Expiration Date. The Tenant may extend the Term of this Lease for [two] additional [two]-year extension term(s), on all the same terms and conditions (except for Rent, which will increase during extension Terms as provided below) contained in this Lease, by notifying the Landlord in writing of the Tenant’s election to do so not less than 30 days before the expiration date of the then-current Term, as the case may be.


(b)    The initial term and any applicable extension term are referred to in this Lease as the “Term.”

3. Repairs and Maintenance

The "Repairs and Maintenance" provision outlines who is responsible for fixing issues. It tackles both internal and external concerns, such as malfunctioning pipes or impaired masonry. The expense is generally shouldered by the landlord, not you.

If a repair isn't promptly dealt with, you have the option to arrange the necessary work and deduct the cost from your rent. Be sure to keep a record of such occurrences for future use. This section is crucial as it clarifies maintenance duties and safeguards you from unforeseen costs.

From and after the Effective Date, and for the remainder of the Term, the Landlord shall perform ordinary maintenance and repair of the interior of the improvements on the Premises. In addition, the Landlord shall, at its own cost and expense without reimbursement by the Tenant, keep and maintain in good condition and repair, and make all necessary repairs and replacements to, the exterior walls, building slabs, foundations, structural parts and components, parking lots, gutters, downspouts, roof, roof membrane and coverings and any other part, component or system on the exterior of the Premises. The Landlord shall, at its own cost and expense without reimbursement by the Tenant, keep and maintain in good condition and repair, and make all necessary repairs and replacements to the sprinkler system, mechanical, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems of the Premises. If the Landlord fails to perform any repair or replacement required to be made by the Landlord in this Lease, and the Landlord fails to cure such failure within 15 days after receipt of a written demand from the Tenant (or immediately, in the case of emergency repairs, including loss of heating and air conditioning), then the Tenant may make such repair or replacement and the Landlord shall reimburse the Tenant for the cost thereof. If the Landlord fails to pay such amount, then the Tenant may offset against the Rent due hereunder the amount so expended.

4. Alterations

"Adjustments" outlines your entitlement to amend the leased area. You can initiate alterations without the landlord's approval, but substantial changes become the property of the landlord. Feel at ease to remove private possessions such as shelves or equipment, provided it doesn't inflict damage to the premises. Comprehending this provision can avert disagreements and assist you in strategizing your business configuration efficiently.

The Tenant may, at its own cost and expense and in a good workmanlike manner, make such alterations, additions, or improvements or erect, remove, or alter such partitions, or erect such racks, shelves, bins, machinery, furniture, fixtures, trade fixtures, equipment, and other personal property as it may deem advisable, without the consent of the Landlord. All fixtures and permanent alterations, additions, improvements, and partitions erected by the Tenant will be and remain the property of the Landlord during the Term, and will be abandoned by the Tenant at the expiration of this Lease. All racks, shelves, bins, machinery, furniture, equipment, and other personal property located in the Premises as of the Effective Date or otherwise installed by the Tenant may be removed by the Tenant at any time if the Tenant so elects. All such removals and restoration shall be accomplished so as not to damage the primary structure or structural qualities of the buildings and other improvements situated on the Premises.

5. Insurance

The "Insurance" section safeguards both lessee and property owner. As a tenant, you're required to have property and liability insurance, listing the landlord as an extra insured party. The landlord handles insurance against damages to the premises.

"Subrogation waivers" prevent insurance providers from seeking compensation from the opposing party following a loss. Your insurance company ought to inform the landlord 30 days prior to canceling coverage. Grasping these concepts ensures your business' financial well-being.

(a)    At all times during the Term, the Tenant shall maintain, at its sole cost and expense, policies of insurance containing the following insurance coverages (which policies shall name the Landlord as an additional insured):

 

(1)    Property insurance with premiums paid in advance insuring the Tenant’s property using the standard Special Causes of Loss Form or equivalent for the full replacement value. The foregoing is referred to in this Lease as “Property Insurance.”

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(2)    Commercial general liability insurance with respect to the Premises in amounts not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate limit using current ISO forms or equivalent.

 

(b)    The Landlord shall obtain and keep in force during the Term of this Lease a policy or policies of insurance covering loss or damage to the Premises, in the amount of the full replacement value thereof, as the same may exist from time to time, but in no event less than the total amount required by lenders having liens on the Premises, against all perils included within the classification of fire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious mischief, flood (in the event same is required by a lender having a lien on the Property), and special extended perils ("all risk" as such term is used in the insurance industry). Such insurance must provide for a payment of loss thereunder to the Landlord or to the holder of mortgages or deeds of trust on the Premises.

 

(c)    The policies required by this section must provide for standard waivers of any right of subrogation that the insurer of such party may acquire against the other party to this Lease, for losses that are actually insured against, even if the loss results from a negligent act or omission. The Tenant’s insurance company must provide the Landlord with a certificate of insurance on form ACORD-27 (for Property Insurance required to be carried under this Lease), or its equivalent, and ACORD-25 (for liability insurance required to be carried under this Lease), or its equivalent, which provides that the insurance may not be cancelled without giving the named insured at least 30 days’ prior written notice (or at least ten days’ written notice of cancellation in the event of the non-payment of premium). The Tenant may carry any required insurance under a blanket policy if that policy complies with the requirements of this Lease.

6. Events of Default

The "Instances of Default" provision enumerates acts that constitute violations of your lease. Common instances encompass skipping rent installments, grappling with insolvency, or disregarding the terms of the lease. Stay cognizant of this segment and circumvent these setbacks to uphold a positive rapport with your landlord and seamlessly maneuver your venture.

The following events will be deemed to be Events of Default by the Tenant under this Lease:
(1)    The Tenant fails to pay any installment of the Rent hereby reserved when due, or any other payment or reimbursement to the Landlord required under this Lease when due, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days after the Tenant’s receipt of written notice of such nonpayment;
(2)    The Tenant becomes insolvent, or makes a transfer in fraud of creditors, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(3)    The Tenant files a bankruptcy petition or Tenant is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent in proceedings filed against the Tenant;
(4)    A receiver or trustee is appointed for all or substantially all of the assets of the Tenant; and
(5)    The Tenant fails to comply with any term, provision, or covenant of this Lease (other than the foregoing in this section 18), and does not cure such failure within 30 days after written notice thereof to the Tenant, or such longer period as may be necessary to cure such default provided the Tenant has promptly commenced curing such default and is diligently proceeding to obtain such cure.

7. Holdover

The "Holdover" provision addresses instances where the tenant remains beyond the lease's duration. If you fail to vacate by your lease term's conclusion, you'll be charged 150% of the daily rent amount for each day of the holdover. Ensure you comprehend the financial implications of overstaying and devise an appropriate exit plan.

If the Tenant holds over after the expiration of the Term and does not surrender the Premises prior to the expiration of the Term, then for each such month that the Tenant is holding over, the Tenant shall pay to Landlord 125% of the Rent due under this Lease for each month.

What happens when a Commercial Lease Agreement expires?

Upon the expiration of a commercial lease agreement, multiple outcomes are possible. Here are some noteworthy insights into likely situations:

  • Revamp or Dissolve: Tenants conducting business should contemplate whether to refreshing or dissolving their lease agreement considerably before its conclusion. Kickstarting this process 6 to 12 months prior is viewed as a sensible approach.
  • Shift to Per-Month: If the original lease is not revamped or a new lease is not formulated, the tenant may transition into a per-month state, assuming the landlord is amenable.
  • Occupancy by Landlord: Occasionally, when a commercial lease terminates, the landlord might opt to take possession of the property, either for personal residence or for running a business.
  • Possibility of Legal Issues: If complications arise around the lease's end - for instance, if a tenant consistently postponed rent or didn't comply with the lease terms - the lease's end may lead to a legal battle.

What are the penalties for breaking Commercial Lease Agreements?

Undoubtedly, consequences for terminating a commercial lease agreement prematurely can differ, but there are generally some frequent penalties:

  • Unpaid Rent: A primary penalty for breaching a commercial lease is often holding the tenant accountable for the remaining rent due for the lease term, even after leaving the property.
  • Notification Timeframe: A majority of commercial landlords request a notice period spanning 30, 60, or 90 days when a tenant opts to end the lease.
  • Exit Charges and Extra Expenses: Based on the lease agreement stipulations, lease contracts may enforce exit fees, and hold the tenant liable for costs like advertising for a new tenant and potential cleaning expenses.
  • Judicial Repercussions: Reliant on the specific circumstances and the breach's nature, if mechanisms to address grievances within the lease are depleted, the situation may escalate to legal proceedings or result in a court dispute.

As penalties' details may fluctuate depending on the lease agreement, it's vital to meticulously examine the lease document to grasp the precise terms and conditions related to early termination.