A commercial lease is a binding contract between the property owner (landlord) and the commercial tenant. This contract outlines the lease contract’s terms and conditions as well as each party’s rights and obligations.
A commercial lease contract protects tenants from unfair or unlawful evictions. For instance, you cannot kick a tenant out just because you’ve found a tenant who is ready to pay more for the rented property. Evicting a tenant on illegal grounds can lead to serious problems with state and federal laws. Which leads to the question, when can you legally evict a commercial tenant in Arizona?
Here are three instances when you can legally evict a commercial tenant in Arizona
Non-payment of rent
Rent payment is one of the most important obligations of the tenant. If a tenant fails to live up to this obligation, you may evict them. Non-payment of rent can be intentional or unintentional, such as if the business is not making money, thus, unable to honor its financial obligations.
When the lease period expires
Lease contracts are time-specific. Upon the expiry of the contract, both parties may enter a new agreement or part ways. If the tenant fails to leave the property after the expiry of the contract, you may legally evict them. Subject to the terms of the lease, you may charge the tenant for the duration they extended their stay in your property.
Committing crime on the property
You can, and should, evict a tenant who uses your property for illegal activity. Likewise, you can evict the tenant if they use the property for an activity that it was not originally leased for.
Owning a commercial property comes with its share of risks. One of these is landlord-tenant disputes. Understanding your rights and obligations can help you safeguard your investment when this relationship becomes problematic.