Growing your business is tough — no doubt about it. Here at -The Law Offices of Kirk Halpin & Associates, P.A., we aim to help that process as much as possible. One of the hardest parts of growing a business can be the actual “growing” part: finding and acquiring a new space for your business operations. With years of experience in real estate law and some amazing real estate lawyers on staff, we are well-equipped to help find your business a new home that is just the right fit. Let’s explore three big reasons why business owners should consider bringing us in to help with the leasing process.
Before you sign on the dotted line, run your lease agreement by a real estate lawyer.
Preparing to Sign a New Lease
If you are moving from startup to your first space or expanding from your first space into a bigger one, you will eventually find yourself at a point where a lease is placed in front of you, full of legal jargon and convoluted subsection after subsection. This can certainly be daunting, especially if this is your first time leasing commercial real estate. Rather than diving head first into a likely confusing document, it is best to have a real estate lawyer by your side to help you review and complete your lease agreement. Our real estate attorneys can help negotiate essential business terms, draft appropriate contracts, and point out stipulations to ensure your lease arrangement goes as smoothly as possible. For example — have you thought about restrictions about signage, parking limitations, subleasing a portion of the space, any exclusives that you may need with regard to preventing competing businesses in the same project, or whether the landlord’s permission is needed when you sell the business? We have been through the leasing process innumerable times and can look out for you in a variety of ways.
Renewing a Lease
Even if this is not your first time leasing property, each lease renewal can pose a new set of legal concerns. As is true with any lease renewal presented to you, it is best to have a real estate lawyer analyze the document before signing. Do you need any changes from your original lease? Does your lease renewal leave room for growth or changes? If you need any improvements done to the space such as new carpeting or paint or other capital improvements such a new HVAC system or new signage, will the landlord be responsible for paying or will it be you? These are all things to consider with any new — or renewed — lease.
Amending a Lease
If a change needs to be made to a current lease agreement, having a real estate attorney negotiate with your landlord will hold much better success and leverage than trying to go at it yourself. Like many projects, DIY leasing is not recommended. We know all the ins and outs of real estate law and can find a solution that will meet your changing needs. Whether you’re subleasing a part of your space, downsizing from your initial lease, or expanding the square footage of your existing lease, the attorneys at The Law Offices of Kirk Halpin & Associates, P.A. can help.
Contact The Law Offices of Kirk Halpin & Associates, P.A. Today
Practicing together in Howard County since 2004 – first in Columbia and now in Clarksville, The Law Offices of Kirk Halpin & Associates, is here to help with a variety of business, real estate and finance law issues. We have a long list of practice areas, a long list of industries served, and a long list of success stories and recommendations in helping businesses, no matter the size, grow, reach their goals, and surpass them. If you’re seeking counsel on a business, real estate or finance law issue, always feel free to contact us via our contact page or call us at (410) 531-1700. While you are here, remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn to stay up to date with our blog and the latest happenings at our firm.
