Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Don't Ignore Liquor License Issues in Real Estate Transactions

By Jennifer L. Tsyn and Sarah Lewis Belcher
September 01, 2016

When representing a client in core real estate work, such as buying or selling real property or negotiating a lease, alcohol may be the last thing an attorney is likely to take into consideration. Clients are often looking for high-quality work on the specific issue presented to the attorney, with a quick turnaround and acceptable cost. A client who retains an attorney for representation in the purchase or sale of real property, or in the negotiation of a lease, may not necessarily bring liquor licensing concerns to the attorney's attention.

As with many other business considerations related to the use of real property, liquor licensing issues can significantly impact real estate transactions. These items may delay, or even derail, negotiations and closings of purchase/sale contracts and leases.

In the course of working with a potential buyer or tenant of commercial real estate, it is important to consider the licenses and other approvals the client will need to operate the intended business at the property. Many businesses may require a liquor license to remain sufficiently profitable to operate. However, both the location and physical layout of the property being purchased or leased can cause several issues for a client applying for a liquor license. These factors should be considered in the contract or lease negotiations, as well as in the due diligence phase of any real estate transaction involving a business that will sell alcoholic beverages.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Warehouse Liability: Know Before You Stow! Image

As consumers continue to shift purchasing and consumption habits in the aftermath of the pandemic, manufacturers are increasingly reliant on third-party logistics and warehousing to ensure their products timely reach the market.

Legal Possession: What Does It Mean? Image

Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.

Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York Image

In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?