What's in a Vanilla Box?

When negotiating a long-term lease, the landlord and the tenant should specifically agree upon the condition that the premises will be in at the time of delivery by the landlord to the tenant. Too often phrases such as “vanilla box,” “warm vanilla box” and “as-is condition” are utilized by leasing representatives to describe generically the condition that the premises will be in at the time of delivery. However, the differences between what each party means by those terms can be dramatic. By specifically addressing the condition of the premises, landlords and tenants may avoid costly disputes once the lease has been executed and the landlord delivers the premises. This article addresses the terminology and the common pitfalls associated with the terms “vanilla box,” “warm vanilla box” and “as-is condition.”