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There’s an old song, made most popular by an Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong duet, in which the singers lament the differences in how they each pronounce the same words differently. One says “to-may-to,” while the other says “to-mah-to.” As they compare their words, the two must decide if they’re going to overlook their differences or call the whole thing off.
It’s sort of the same thing with leasehold, tenant, and build-out improvements—three terms that kind of mean the same thing. Pretty much, that is. There are subtle differences, and it’s important for landlords and tenants to understand the nuances. Because, like Ella and Louis, no one wants to call the whole thing off.
In commercial leases, the three terms are industry-specific ways of describing the same idea: improvements and modifications to a structure in order to prepare for a new tenant.
The scope of these improvements is determined by several factors, including if space was previously occupied, the age of the building, and how closely aligned the previous tenant’s business is to that of the new tenant. Modifications can include everything from lighting and plumbing systems to security and Wi-Fi to reconfiguring the space inside and out.
The differences between the terms become more apparent when examining which party—landlord or tenant or both—is overseeing the work and who will be paying for the improvements. For both parties, this is a critical part of the lease negotiation process and the secret is in the details.
To assist both parties, there are several standard tools at their disposal.
Although there is a definite excitement to moving into a newly remodeled space, it’s important to not get distracted by that excitement. Problems will arise. Delays will occur. To that end, it’s critical that both parties fully understand the tenant improvement project, the costs, and the penalties if either party is unable to fulfill its obligation.
One of the easiest preventative measures is to attach a detailed improvement plan to the lease, including a description of building-standard materials and finishes. At the same time, there must also be a timeline for not only the progression of the project but also a date when work is to be completed—and the consequences, should either party miss that deadline.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how one says “tomato.” It’s more important to work with a team that is as skilled with the subtle nuances of tenant improvement provisions as it is with the details that are designed to protect the financial assets and business goals of landlords and tenants. Morris Southeast Group is that team.
To learn more about owner and tenant representation and what Morris Southeast Group can do for you, call us at 954.474.1776. You can also reach Ken Morris directly at 954.240.4400 or via email at kenmorris@morrissegroup.com.
When most landlords and developers decided to enter the CRE marketplace, they probably had lots of reasons. Perhaps it was the chance to give back to a particular community, or to reap the rewards of a strong investment, or to provide a high-quality service that others can enjoy. Hardly any of them, though, thought that CRE would be an excellent opportunity to be a mediator.
Nevertheless, that’s exactly what they’re called to be when tenants are at war with one another. As more commercial tenants seek shared spaces and as retail tenants amp up competition for a population adapting to e-commerce, tenant conflicts have expanded beyond the multi-family housing arena.
And adopting some proactive solutions not only heads off potential conflict between tenants, it also comes in handy when a landlord has to take a firm stance.
To head off any potential conflicts between tenants, a strong lease can set the proper tone from the beginning—especially in an environment where several tenants may be sharing everything, from adjoining walls and amenities to kitchens and parking.
The lease is the landlord’s chance to spell out specific rules that address two of the top concerns residential and commercial tenants have: safety and a peaceful environment. This is a chance to define expectations for tenant behavior and consequences for making threats against or harassing other tenants, as well as violating noise restrictions.
Where commercial properties are concerned, especially those that house multiple tenants, landlords often try to achieve a sense of balance. This effort, though, has become more complicated in light of a sharing economy, where everything from offices to parking spaces are being used by more than one tenant.
When looking for new commercial tenants, it’s critical to have a full understanding of their business. This includes hours of operation (so that shared parking is achievable) to demographics (so that a yoga studio with evening classes is not next to a music venue) to not filling a complex with high-use tenants (so that customers have trouble parking, which results in their avoiding the complex … which results in a loss of revenue for tenants and the owner).
It’s especially helpful for landlords and owners to have a procedure to follow when mediating disputes. This guarantees that all tenants and their complaints are handled equally.
Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, being part of a dispute—either as a complainant or a mediator—can be messy, time consuming, and complicated. Morris Southeast Group’s property management services can assist in the mediation process. In addition, our tenant and owner representation skill set can help match your vision with the right property to prevent potential conflicts. To learn more about what Morris Southeast Group can do for you, call us at 954.474.1776. You can also reach Ken Morris directly at 954.240.4400 or via email at kenmorris@morrissegroup.com
When most of us were in elementary school, little did we realize that each time a teacher or a parent lectured us on the importance of doing homework, they were actually preparing us for … commercial real estate. Due diligence — really, just an adult word for homework — is an essential part of the commercial transaction process.
And just like the educational — or tearful, weekday-afternoon — debate over homework, many people wonder how much due diligence is enough? Perhaps, the best way to respond is with another question: Can there ever be too much due diligence?
While true due diligence happens long before a transaction is started or a property is even chosen, in the simplest and most-conventional terms, due diligence is the process that occurs during the time period between a buyer signing a contract and making the decision to move forward with the purchase. It’s during this time that the buyer has the chance to conduct a full review of all data that relates to the property. The more thorough the due diligence process, the more informed the buyer will be in deciding to complete or cancel the purchase.
The actual time period fluctuates in accordance with the complexity of the transaction, however. And it’s possible to incorporate a due diligence checklist into the sales contract with a stipulation that the process will commence once the seller produces the last of the requested documents.
When it comes to creating a due diligence checklist, there are five basic areas that need to be addressed. These, in turn, can be adjusted to meet the needs of the transaction, the complexity of the deal, and other reasonable items that the buyer may require to make an informed decision.
Embarking on the due diligence process can be a daunting and overwhelming task. Failure to gather all information by the due diligence deadline can result in the buyer losing his or her deposit if they find something that requires them to back out of the deal.
Fortunately, you there are experts that can help you with this process. In fact, many other experts recommend working with an experienced team that can compile the information, present it, and then advise on the next step. Morris Southeast Group is that team. To learn more about what Morris Southeast Group can do for you, call us at 954.474.1776. You can also reach Ken Morris directly at 954.240.4400 or via email at kenmorris@morrissegroup.com.
The humidity was thick this past July 6, very typical of summer weather in steamy South Florida. The combination of heat and a Fourth of July holiday weekend meant that business was a little slow in a Plantation, FL, shopping plaza. Fitness buffs were still getting in their morning workouts, however, and coffee drinkers were enjoying their lattes. And according to authorities, someone opened a natural gas valve in a closed pizzeria where the tenant had vacated the premises in December 2017.
Over the course of four hours, more businesses opened, parking spaces were occupied, and natural gas filled the space of the closed pizzeria. When the air conditioner clicked on, an electrical spark ignited the gas, creating an explosion that blew out walls, shattered windows, and crumbled ceilings. Debris rained down on customers inside of the various retail spaces, as well as on those walking through the parking lot. An ordinary summer day in a shopping plaza was anything but.
Sadly, 22 people were injured. In addition to the injured, the explosion has had a tremendous impact on the surrounding commercial real estate. Within days, many of the buildings impacted were determined to be unsafe. To date, only 8 of 25 that operated prior to the explosion have been able to re-open, and some customers have expressed fear about returning to the plaza. Owners of the shopping center, while vowing to rebuild, are facing huge logistical challenges as they work with local building officials and engineers to create a recovery/rebuild timeline.
In many ways, the consequences of the explosion can be felt very far from South Florida. For landlords and owners around the country, it was a wake-up call to take a look at their own properties, operating systems, and responsibilities.
When it comes to owning and/or managing commercial real estate, it’s imperative for owners to protect their tenants, visitors, and investment. That’s common sense, pure and simple. To accomplish this, though, there are several proactive steps to take today that could very well help you tomorrow:
Preparing for what may or may not happen can be a daunting—albeit necessary—task, and it’s not something that you need to do alone. The team at Morris Southeast Group can assist you in reviewing insurance coverage and lease terms, and our property management services stay on top of scheduling maintenance and repairs, as well as coordinating emergency preparedness training. To learn more about what Morris Southeast Group can do for you, call us at 954.474.1776. You can also reach Ken Morris directly at 954.240.4400 or via email at kenmorris@morrissegroup.com.