A surprising number of businesses face some form of property dispute or real estate challenge within their first five years after opening. Real estate laws play a critical role in the success of businesses in Houston, yet these confusing regulations frequently cause problems for business owners. Understanding commercial leases in Houston is important for those who want to get the right space under favorable terms.
Commercial Leases
A commercial lease differs quite a bit from a residential lease. The main types are:
- Gross Lease: Tenants pay a fixed rent, and the landlord covers operating expenses (property taxes, insurance, maintenance); these tend to come with higher base rents.
- Net Lease: Tenants pay rent plus a share of the operating expenses; variations include single net, double net, and triple net leases.
- Modified Gross Lease: This hybrid structure lets tenants and landlords split operating expenses so both parties have more flexibility.
When entering into a commercial lease, business owners need to carefully read over certain clauses. This might include:
- Rent Escalation: How and when rent increases during the lease term
- Renewal Options: Whether the tenant has the right to extend the lease on pre-agreed terms
- Permitted Use: How the property can be used (may restrict certain business activities)
- Exclusivity Clause: Protects tenants from competition within the same property or complex.
Lease disputes typically arise over issues like unpaid rent, maintenance, or misunderstandings about the lease terms. Even seemingly minor disagreements can blow up into major disruptions for the business if they’re not handled quickly. With the help of a commercial lease attorney, Houston business owners can resolve these issues and make sure their interests are protected.
At the Weisblatt Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the unique challenges Houston business owners face. Call us at (713) 666-1981 if you need assistance with legal issues related to real estate.
Navigating Property Disputes
Disputes about the property can also hamper business operations to the point where they cause financial and operational strain. Business owners in Houston tend to encounter problems with:
- Boundary disputes over unclear property lines
- Easement conflicts, which involve the right to access or use someone else’s property
- Adverse possession claims when someone unlawfully occupies a property and tries to claim legal ownership.
Business owners have several options for handling property disputes. In most cases, it’s best to have an informal discussion first to try to come to a mutual agreement. If that doesn’t work, you may need to bring in a neutral third party to act as a mediator. There’s also the option of having an arbiter make the decision for you. If none of these methods work, you may need to take the matter to court to decide the outcome.
To effectively deal with property disputes, Houston business owners need skilled legal counsel. A real estate lawyer can review your case and offer advice on the best way to solve problems while keeping your business goals in mind.
Other Real Estate Issues for Houston Businesses
Property Acquisition and Sales
Buying or selling commercial property requires thorough due diligence, including title searches, environmental inspections, and contract reviews. A Houston real estate lawyer can ensure that the process goes smoothly and reduce the risk for your business.
Zoning and Land Use
Zoning laws dictate how a property can be used. As an example, certain areas might restrict industrial operations or require special permits for a certain type of business to operate. Companies need to know and follow these regulations to avoid fines and disruptions to their daily operations.
Environmental Concerns
Houston-based businesses might face liabilities related to environmental contamination or compliance with the rules. Your legal team can pinpoint these potential risks and suggest various strategies to mitigate them.
Real Estate Development
Real estate development projects usually involve complicated contracts, financing arrangements, and permit applications. A skilled lawyer can help your organization overcome these hurdles and avoid delays.
Business Transitions
Problems can also pop up during transitions like mergers, expansions, or relocations. These situations often involve renegotiating leases, transferring property titles, or dealing with new zoning requirements. Your attorney can make sure the transition goes smoothly and help you focus on growth instead of getting bogged down by complicated legalities and paperwork.
How Can a Business Lawyer Help With Commercial Leases?
A business lawyer is an invaluable asset to have in your corner. They’ll make sure all leases line up with your long-term business interests, represent you in conflicts with landlords or other parties, and guide you through zoning requirements and other rules that business owners are expected to follow.
How the Weisblatt Law Firm, PLLC, Can Serve Your Business
At the Weisblatt Law Firm, PLLC, we’re committed to helping businesses in the Houston area work through the complexities of real estate law. Whether you’re at the beginning stages of negotiating a lease or dealing with a complicated real estate dispute, we offer tailored solutions that meet your needs.
As part of our client-focused approach, we’ll prioritize understanding your business goals so we can put together strong legal strategies to support them. Our team has a proven track record of successfully handling high-stakes real estate cases, with our objective always being to get the best possible outcome for our clients.
Regardless of what your situation involves, we’ll keep you informed throughout every step of the process. You’ll always know where things stand, and your attorney will work closely with you to get your business where you want it to be.
Secure Your Company’s Future With Dependable Legal Counsel
Navigating real estate law is an important part of operating a successful business in Houston. Whether you’re negotiating a lease, handling a property dispute, or tackling some other issue related to real estate, you need the right legal team on your side to guide you through the process. When you work with the Weisblatt Law Firm, PLLC, you don’t just get legal advice — you get a team of trusted allies who are dedicated to protecting your business interests.
Contact us at (713) 666-1981 today to discuss how we can assist you with your real estate legal needs. Let us help your business thrive in Houston’s competitive landscape.
Attorney Andrew Weisblatt
Mr. Weisblatt has practiced continuously since becoming licensed in 1992 and has represented businesses ranging in size from one person start-up ventures to multi-national corporations employing hundreds of people in multiple countries. From 2005 through 2009 Mr. Weisblatt was in-house counsel and chief operating officer of a multi-national corporation in the steel products industry. That in-house position provided valuable insight into how businesses work and what they actually need from their lawyers – both in-house and outside counsel. Attorney Bio
