Nebraska Commercial Lease Agreement Template




Last Updated:

A Nebraska Commercial Lease Agreement in essence, is a reciprocal contract between you and your lessor. This arrangement affords you the privilege to utilize a real estate asset for your business activities, adhering to a predetermined timeline and cost. It is designed around the specific undertakings your venture is set to conduct there. Make certain to comprehend each component of it prior to affixing your signature.

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

Chapter 2A-101 of the Uniform Commercial Code deals specifically with leases. It encompasses various processes, terminologies, and conditions that govern the establishment, alteration, execution, and violation of lease contracts.

As reflected in select segments of the article:

  • Section 2A-103 lays out definitions, enumerating several terms related to lease contracts and their respective interpretations.
  • Section 2A-220 addresses risk-of-loss situations, detailing the circumstances and terms under which the loss risk from goods transpires.
  • Section 2A-506 establishes the limitations period for lease contracts to be solved. It specifies that parties can minimize this period to a bare minimum of one year.

Laws — Article 2A: Nebraska Uniform Commercial Code

 

What's included in a Nebraska Commercial Lease Agreement?

Here are some key components that are typically included in a Nebraska 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 legalese might seem overwhelming. But, with an unambiguous blueprint and appropriate advice, designing your lease agreement becomes manageable. Let's delve into the core components of a commercial lease pact, and how to adapt it to fit your requirements - think of this as your congenial, uncomplicated compass through the sphere of commercial leases.

1. Permitted Uses

The "Authorized Uses" stipulation clarifies how the leased real estate may be utilized. It succinctly enumerates the permitted activities. These comprise of manufacturing operations, administrative tasks, warehousing, dissemination, and the production and dissemination of commodities.

It's paramount to meticulously itemize all your planned business operations here. This precision assists in circumventing potential legal challenges and ensures resource deployment is streamlined. Incorporate every element to mitigate unexpected revelations. This comprehension propels your business forward.

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 prolongations. It commences on the Commencement Date and concludes on the Termination Date. You have the option to protract it for two additional two-year spans under equivalent terms, although rent may rise. Convey in writing to the lessor 30 days prior to the term concluding to lengthen.

(b) "Duration" encompasses both your initial lease term and any subsequent extensions.

Transparent lease durations are vital for strategic business planning and operations, as well as potential prolongations.

(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 "Fixing and Upkeep" provision delineates responsibilities regarding repair tasks. It captures both inside and outside problems, such as malfunctioning piping or impaired masonry. The expenses are shouldered by the landlord, not yourself.

If a repair doesn't receive prompt attention, you have the liberty to arrange for the repair efforts, deducting the cost from your rent. It's crucial to always record these occurrences for potential future reference. This provision carries weight, as it specifies repair duties, safeguarding you from unforeseen outlays.

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

"Modifications" describes your entitlement to adjust the leased premises. You are allowed to make minor changes without the lessor's approval, but significant adjustments become the property of the landlord. You are at liberty to evacuate personal terrain like racking or apparatus provided it does not inflict damages to the premises.

Interpreting this provision can avert disputes and guide your business configuration planning proficiently.

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 "Coverage" provision offers protection to both lessee and lessor. As the lessee, you require both property and liability coverage, designating the landlord as an additional beneficiary. The lessor secures insurance to cover damages to the property.

'Relinquishments of subrogation' halt insurance entities from recouping from the opposing party after a loss. Your insurance provider should signal the lessor 30 days prior to any termination. Comprehending these stipulations fortifies your business financially.

(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.”

4

(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 conduct deemed as violations of your lease agreement. Common occurrences encompass missed rental payments, experiencing bankruptcy, or neglecting to abide by lease stipulations. Remain cognizant of this segment and circumvent these obstacles to preserve a favorable rapport with your landlord and proficiently operate your enterprise.

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 a tenant remains in the leased property beyond the stipulated term. If you fail to vacate by the lease termination, you shall be obligated to remit 125% of the customary rent for each subsequent month of holdover. Ensure comprehension of the costs associated with exceeding the lease period and devise an appropriate departure strategy.

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 conclusion of a commercial lease, multiple outcomes may arise. Here are some handy insights into potential situations:

  • Renew or Terminate: It's crucial for business tenants to determine whether to renew or terminate their lease well ahead of its expiration. Starting this undertaking 6 to 12 months beforehand is regarded as a wise approach.
  • Shift to Month-to-Month: If the initial lease isn't renewed or replaced, the tenant might transition to a month-to-month tenancy, granted the landlord consents.
  • Landlord Occupies Space: Occasionally, after a commercial lease concludes, the landlord may opt to inhabit the property personally, serving either residential or commercial needs.
  • Possibility of Legal Action: Should conflicts arise during the lease's final phase, like persistent rent delays or disregard for lease conditions, the lease termination could result in legal proceedings.

What are the penalties for breaking Commercial Lease Agreements?

Sure, breaking a commercial lease agreement can lead to varied penalties, but a few common ones generally apply:

  • Remaining Rent: A significant penalty for breaking a commercial lease typically involves the tenant remaining responsible for the outstanding rent owed throughout the lease duration, even after vacating the space.
  • Notice Period: Commercial landlords commonly request a 30, 60, or 90-day notice when tenants decide to end the lease early.
  • Termination Fees & Other Expenses: The lease agreement might specify additional costs, such as termination fees and holding the tenant liable for advertising expenses to find a new occupant, as well as potential cleaning expenses.
  • Legal Implications: If the breach's nature and circumstances exhaust the lease's dispute resolution avenues, it might escalate to legal action or result in a court dispute.

Reviewing the lease contract carefully will help ensure a clear understanding of the specific terms and consequences regarding early termination. Keep it lighthearted, and stay focused on empowering your reader with the knowledge they need.