Landlord is requesting from me to update electrical wiring to bring it up to code in commercial lease I signed in Nov. 2017 and?
I have been in the premises for almost 3 years operating my business as Drop shop Dry clean and Alterations services and in my lease it does not require me to update the electricity power or to bring it up to the code of the state of North Carolina. The landlord came to my store and requested that I have to cooperate with him to do that because he leased space next to me and the other renter next to me signed a lease with the landlord and he is responsible to do the power splitting at his expenses but the other renter found out that is going to cost around $20K he backed up and stopped doing up fitting in his section. The landlord came to me to help doing power splitting with other renter in order to divide the premises and have two separated sections or he is going to put me in default and kick me out from my lease and premises. I told him it is not in my responsibility the landlord is responsible for that issue with other tenant because he is the one who sign theses kind agreement with the other tenant. he left saying that I am going to hear from his lawyer. So what I have to do?
1 attorney answer
Typically in commercial lease situations, upfit and other electrical issues are the landlord's responsibility. However, commercial leases can shift that responsibility to tenants in some instances. While you may not be responsible for paying for the electrical splitting, etc., you would most likely be responsible for cooperating with the landlord's efforts to make that happen. Tenants generally aren't allowed to get in the way of the landlord carrying out its obligations.
In your case, it sounds like your lease does not make you responsible for paying to update the electricity. However, you will need to contact a lawyer to review the lease just to make sure. And if the landlord does eventually hire a lawyer, you will need to be represented to make sure your lease terms are properly interpreted and honored.
This answer is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Our answers are for general knowledge only when provided on AVVO. If you desire representation, please feel free to contact us and we can discuss the terms of representation and your matter in greater detail.
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