District of Columbia Commercial Lease Agreement
A Washington, DC commercial lease agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions for renting non-residential properties within the state. This agreement is essential for defining the relationship between the landlord, who owns the commercial property, and the tenant, who intends to operate a business in the leased space.
District of Columbia Commercial Lease Agreement
Rental Laws
The governing laws for commercial leases in Washington, DC are specified in the Code of the District of Columbia Subtitle I, Article 2A (Leases). These laws establish the framework for the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, ensuring that both parties understand their obligations under the lease.
Consumer Protection Laws
Consumer protection in the context of commercial leases is addressed under D.C. Code § 28:2A–104. This section outlines the protections available to tenants in commercial lease agreements, ensuring that their rights are safeguarded throughout the leasing process.
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction for enforcing the lease agreement is determined by D.C. Code § 28:2A–106. This statute specifies that jurisdiction should align with one of the following criteria:
- The lessee’s residence at the time the lease becomes enforceable, or within 30 days thereafter.
- The location of the property being leased.
If the chosen law or judicial forum does not meet these criteria and lacks jurisdiction over the lessee, such a choice is deemed unenforceable.
FAQs
A Washington, DC commercial lease agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms for renting non-residential properties in the state. It includes details such as permitted use of the space, rent, additional costs, lease duration, and termination conditions, defining the relationship between the landlord and tenant.
Key requirements for a commercial lease in Washington, DC include adherence to the Code of the District of Columbia Subtitle I, Article 2A (Leases) and consumer protection laws outlined in D.C. Code § 28:2A–104. Additionally, jurisdiction must align with the lessee’s residence or the location of the property as specified in D.C. Code § 28:2A–106.
Landlords can verify business entities in Washington, DC by using the Washington, DC Business Entity Search database. Accessing this service requires setting up a free account to search for registered corporations in the state.
If the chosen jurisdiction for a lease does not meet the legal criteria outlined in D.C. Code § 28:2A–106, such as aligning with the lessee’s residence or property location, the choice of law or judicial forum may be deemed unenforceable.
A commercial lease agreement should include the permitted use of the leased space, rent amount, additional costs, lease duration, termination conditions, and the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant.