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James2011
10-07-2010, 06:45 PM
I have one Mat and one small dry cleaners(pick-up station).
My DC's business is so slow, so I want to close store, but I have one question about Lease.

I purchased this DC three years ago and the seller had 5 years lease with additional 5 years option lease. So his lease had been assigned to me.
this lease had been expired on end of August this year.

On feb/2010, Seller asked me whether or not I want to exercise the option lease, so I sent letter to landlord that I wanted to get into option lease.
Since then, no communication from landlord. no signed document and no phone call from him.
But I paid Sep rent and still he didn't say anything.

So, now I have two questions:

1) my current lease is Month to Month? or 5 years Lease?

2) if I want to close out store and going out, do I have to pay 4years 11month's rent?

I looked at the original lease document and it's very simple, just around 10 pages and not complecated as shopping center's:

this is the one regarding option lease:
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12. If at the expiration of the term of this lease the lessee shall have performed all the terms and conditions required by the lease, then the said lessee shall have the right to renew for and additional five (5) years. However, the monthly rent of the renewed lease shall be negotiated by and between the parties to said renewed lease, meaning that the monthly rent of two thousand Dollars ( $2,000.00) as agreed to be the parties to this agreement may increase or decrease for any subsequent renewal period; any increase shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of this lease's base rent of $2,000.

Howard
10-08-2010, 10:04 AM
I'm not a lawyer, and don't even play one on TV, but the way I read it you might be screwed. It does not say anything that the landlord "Must" do, thus he could say he has your letter and just let it renew at the existing rent. I would consult someone that actually is a lawyer.

James2011
10-08-2010, 01:00 PM
then, how about if I request him rent as $1500? if he not accept it, then he maybe ask me to leave?

Brett
10-10-2010, 05:29 PM
1. Ask lawyer 2. Sounds like you exercised your lease option. All it takes is a letter.

xn28dpos
10-15-2010, 01:02 PM
I am a California lawyer, and I can't speak for other states. However, as to California and as to general principles, the member who suggested that you contact your attorney is right. After reviewing everything your attorney will be able to tell you whether you indeed exercised your option and whether Landlord and you completed the process by arriving at an agreement as to the new rent, and if you didn't, whether this enables you to now terminate. Best, XN28DPOS