As the landlord or occupant of a commercial property, it is important to understand who takes responsibility for repair work. Commercial property repairs can be the responsibility of the tenant or the landlord, depending on what is stipulated in the lease agreement. If you are the owner and landlord of a property, then using a maintenance team will ensure your property is looked after for you.
When you sign the lease agreement for a property, everything must be in working order. From thereon, small internal repairs are generally considered to be the responsibility of the tenant. Repairs to the actual structure of the build will be your responsibility. If there is one sole occupier to the building, then external repairs can also be that of the tenant. These types of repairs will be aesthetic, such as painting. Replacement of windows, doors, etc. is the responsibility of the owner.
Commercial Property Repairs : Your Lease Agreement
In order to avoid problems in the long term, it is important to stipulate exactly what you expect from your tenant in your lease agreement. Once both parties are in agreement and the lease is signed you should not expect disputes over maintenance issues. A professional property management team supplied for you by BBN can help you with your lease agreement. We will ensure your document is fully legal. If your lease agreement is not legally binding, you could find yourself paying for repairs.
Commercial Property Repairs : End of Lease
In your lease agreement, you should also state clearly the state the premise must be in when handed back to you. The premises should be in their original condition. Any alterations that were carried out must be reverted. If you do not wish for alterations to be carried out on your property, this should also be clearly stated in the original lease documentation.
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to keep up to date with periodic repairs to your commercial builds. However, your tenants may not let you know about problems. The may leave it until it is too late to alert you to difficulties. A leaking pipe that is replaced in a timely manner will ensure there are no costly plumbing bills later down the line.
In order to make sure that all periodic and preventative maintenance that is your responsibility is carried out to your premises, use the services of a property maintenance team. A professional property maintenance manager will conduct period preventative inspections of your premises. They will relay information back to you on repairs that are necessary.
As a landlord, you should not expect your tenant to make repairs to your build that are out of their control. After a storm, or bad weather, your commercial property management team will schedule an inspection to check for damage. Inspections of your facilities are carried out periodically. These will include your plumbing, electrical supply, drainage, and structural safety of your commercial property.
For advice on commercial property repairs, contact BBN today. We can help you understand what your responsibilities are as a landlord, and find you the best property maintenance team for your repairs.