North Dakota Commercial Lease Agreement Template
Last Updated:
A North Dakota Commercial Lease Agreement serves as a legally binding contract between you and your property owner. This accord grants you the ability to utilize a space for your business functions, fixed for a determined duration and fee. The arrangement is customized to the unique operations your enterprise plans to execute at the location. Ensure you comprehend each aspect of it prior to signing.
What are the related laws for Commercial Lease Agreements in North Dakota?
Under the purview of North Dakota Century Code Chapter 47-16, leasing gets particularly addressed, encapsulating various processes, definitions, and clauses directing the creation, amendment, fulfillment, and violation of lease agreements.
Outlined in sections of the said chapter:
- Section 47-16-01.1 emphasizes on definitions, delineating diverse terminologies associated with lease contracts and their respective significations.
- Section 47-16-20 takes on risk of damage scenarios, offering specifics on when and under what situations the risk of loss from goods transpires.
- Section 47-16-39 outlines the restriction period in settling lease contract disputes. It indicates that the involved parties could minimize the limitations duration to a bare minimum of one year.
Laws — Title 41, Article 2A: North Dakota Uniform Commercial Code
Thank you for downloading!
How would you rate your free form?
Read on to learn more about North Dakota Commercial Lease Agreement, including:
How to write a Commercial Lease Agreement
As an entrepreneur, the intricate labyrinth of legal terminology might appear intimidating. Nonetheless, equipped with an unambiguous plan and proper assistance, you're capable of crafting your lease agreement. Let's delve into the heart of a commercial lease agreement, and ways to customize it for your requirements - think of this as your congenial, clear-cut guide to traversing the terrain of commercial leases.
1. Permitted Uses
The "Allowed Uses" provision guides you on utilizing the leased property. It explicitly states the permitted activities such as industrial operations, administrative tasks, storage, dissemination, and production and distribution of products.
It's essential to meticulously enumerate all planned business undertakings in this section. This precision averts potential legal complications and confirms resource allocation is optimized. Include every aspect to prevent unexpected surprises later on. This comprehension supports your business's stability and progress.
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 culminates on the Termination Date. You have the ability to prolong it for two additional two-year cycles under identical prerequisites, although the rent may escalate. Ensure you inform the property owner in written format 30 days prior to the term conclusion for extension.
(b) "Duration" implies both your primary lease term and any subsequent extensions.
Transparent lease durations are vital for strategic business blueprinting and functionalities, in addition to probable 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 "Maintenance and Repair" provision delineates who oversees repairs. This covers both interior and exterior concerns, such as malfunctioning plumbing or deteriorated masonry. The expense is incurred by the landlord, not the tenant.
If a repair is not addressed promptly, the tenant can arrange for repair work and deduct it from their rent. It is essential to document these occurrences for further reference. This clause plays a crucial role, as it establishes repairing obligations and safeguards tenants 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
The "Modifications" provision explains your authority to adjust the leased venue. You can perform changes without obtaining the landlord's approval, though significant modifications become the property of the landlord. Feel at liberty to take out personal assets such as shelving or machinery, provided it doesn't inflict damage on the property. Comprehending this clause can avoid conflicts and aid you in efficiently planning your business layout.
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" provision safeguards both lessee and lessor. As the occupant, you require property and liability coverage, naming the landlord as a supplementary insured party. The property owner handles insurance for damage to the property.
'Subrogation waivers' prevent insurance providers from pursuing claims against the other entity following a loss. Your insurer ought to inform the landlord 30 days prior to policy termination. Comprehending these terminologies bolsters your business's financial security.
(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 "Default Instances" provision defines activities that are deemed as lease violations. Typical instances encompass defaulting on rent payments, experiencing financial distress, or not adhering to lease conditions. Remain cognizant of this section and circumvent these potential downfalls to preserve a cordial relationship with your lessor and facilitate the unimpeded operation of your business.
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
Based on my research, North Dakota law does not provide explicit guidance on lease holdover situations. However, generally landlords have the right to impose rent increases for overstaying tenants. It's important to know the policies stated in your lease regarding holdover tenancy, to avoid incurring additional cost and manage your departure properly. Please consult a legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.
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 termination of a commercial lease agreement, there are several potential outcomes that can unfold. Here are a few scenarios explained in a friendly, easy-to-understand manner:
- Renew or End: As a business tenant, it's prudent to decide if you'll renew or conclude the lease agreement before its expiration. Best practice suggests starting this process 6 to 12 months beforehand.
- Shifting to Month-to-Month: If the initial lease isn't extended, or a fresh lease isn't established, you might shift into a month-to-month arrangement, provided your landlord consents.
- Landlord Occupies: Occasionally, post commercial lease termination, the landlord may decide to personally utilize the property for residential or commercial use.
- Chance of Legal Proceedings: If concerns arise nearing the lease's end—for instance, if a tenant persistently defaults on rent or breaches lease conditions—lease termination might result in legal proceedings.
What are the penalties for breaking Commercial Lease Agreements?
Certainly, repercussions for breaking a commercial lease agreement differ, but there are some typical penalties to be aware of:
- Leftover Rent: Frequently, a major penalty for breaking a commercial lease is that the tenant remains responsible for the outstanding rent according to the lease term, even after leaving the property.
- Notice Timeframe: In most cases, commercial landlords request a notice period of 30, 60, or 90 days when the tenant opts to break the lease.
- Termination Charges and Extra Expenses: Depending on the lease agreement's details, commercial leases might impose termination fees and hold the tenant accountable for advertising expenses when seeking a new tenant, as well as potential cleaning fees.
- Legal Ramifications: Based on the breach's circumstances and nature, if the lease's dispute resolution procedures are exhausted, the issue could escalate to legal action or end up in court.
Since penalty specifics may vary per lease agreement, it's essential to thoroughly examine the lease contract to understand the exact terms and conditions for early termination.