Virginia Commercial Lease Agreement
A Virginia Commercial Lease Agreement is a legal document utilized for renting commercial properties, including industrial, retail, or office spaces, to business entities in Virginia. This agreement outlines the terms, conditions, and obligations of both landlords and tenants, ensuring clarity and enforceability under state law.
Virginia Commercial Lease Agreement
Requirements
Rental Laws
The relevant legal framework governing commercial leases in Virginia is found in Title 55.1, Chapter 14 of the Code of Virginia, which pertains to Nonresidential Tenancies.
Jurisdiction
According to Va. Code § 8.1A-301, parties involved in a commercial lease can mutually agree to apply either Virginia’s law or the law of another state or nation, provided there is a reasonable connection to the chosen jurisdiction.
Virginia Business Entity Search
Landlords have the option to verify a tenant’s business credentials through the Virginia State Corporation Commission Clerk website.
Required Disclosures
Utility Submetering
Landlords are permitted to charge business lessees for submetered utilities if such charges are included in the lease agreement. These utilities may encompass sewage, water, natural gas, oil, and electricity. Additionally, commercial tenants have the right to request that the landlord test the energy allocation equipment at no cost every two years, as stipulated in Va. Code § 55.1-1404.
Statutes
- Va. Code § 55.1-1226(A) – Security deposits
- Va. Code § 55.1-1205 – Prepaid rent; maintenance of escrow account
- Va. Code § 8.01-27.1 – Additional recovery in certain civil actions concerning checks or rejected electronic funds transfers
- Va. Code § 55.1-1239 – Wrongful failure to supply an essential service
- Va. Code § 55.1-1410 – Notice to terminate a tenancy in nonresidential rental property; notice of change in use of multifamily residential building
- Va. Code § 55.1-1241 – Landlord’s noncompliance as defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent
- Va. Code § 55.1-1247 – Sheriffs authorized to serve certain notices; fee for service
- Va. Code § 55.1-1235 – Early termination of rental agreement by military personnel
- Va. Code § 55.1-1230 – Access following entry of certain court orders
- Va. Code § 55.1-1249 – Remedies for absence, nonuse, and abandonment
- Va. Code § 55.1-1223 – Notice to tenants for insecticide or pesticide use
- Va. Code § 55.1-1236 – Early termination of rental agreements by victims of family abuse, sexual abuse, or criminal sexual assault
- Va. Code § 55.1-1258 – Retaliatory conduct prohibited
- Va. Code § 55.1-1244.1 – Tenant’s remedy by repair
- Va. Code § 55.1-1245 – Noncompliance with rental agreement; monetary penalty
- Va. Code § 55.1-1204 – Terms and conditions of rental agreement; payment of rent; copy of rental agreement for tenant
- Va. Code § 55.1-1253 – Periodic tenancy; holdover remedies
- Va. Code § 55.1-1226 – Security deposits
- Va. Code § 55.1-1245 – Noncompliance with rental agreement; monetary penalty
- Va. Code § 55.1-1229 – Access; consent; correction of nonemergency conditions; relocation of tenant; security systems
- Va. Code § 55.1-1249 – Remedies for absence, nonuse, and abandonment
- Va. Code § 55.1-1209 – Confidentiality of tenant records
- Va. Code § 55.1-1220 – Landlord to maintain fit premises
- Va. Code § 55.1-1227 – Tenant to maintain dwelling unit
- Va. Code § 55.1-1258 – Retaliatory conduct prohibited
FAQs
A Virginia Commercial Lease Agreement is a legal document used for renting commercial properties, such as industrial, retail, or office spaces, to business entities in Virginia. It outlines the terms, conditions, and obligations of both the landlord and tenant, ensuring clarity and enforceability under state law.
Landlords can verify a tenant’s business credentials by using the Virginia State Corporation Commission Clerk website. This resource allows landlords to confirm the legitimacy of the tenant’s business entity.
The key rental laws governing commercial leases in Virginia are outlined in Title 55.1, Chapter 14 of the Code of Virginia, which specifically addresses nonresidential tenancies. Understanding these laws is crucial for both landlords and tenants.
Yes, according to Va. Code § 8.1A-301, parties can agree to apply either Virginia’s law or the law of another state or nation, provided there is a reasonable connection to the chosen jurisdiction. This flexibility allows for tailored legal frameworks in lease agreements.
Utility submetering allows landlords to charge business lessees for submetered utilities, such as sewage, water, natural gas, oil, and electricity, if included in the lease. Tenants can request a free test of the energy allocation equipment every two years, as per Va. Code § 55.1-1404.
Virginia Commercial Lease Agreements can typically be downloaded in PDF or MS Word formats. These documents provide a structured template for landlords and tenants to outline their lease terms.