Features

New NJ Statute Requires Notices of Flood-Prone Areas In Commercial Real Estate Transactions
On July 3, 2023, the New Jersey Legislature enacted a statute requiring sellers and landlords of commercial and residential property to provide notices of flood-prone areas to purchasers and tenants before the transaction becomes binding.
Features

'Soft Landing' Hopes Are High, But We're Not At the Finish Line Yet
The ultimate goal of the Federal Reserve has been to reduce inflation without pushing the economy into a recession, achieving the oft-cited soft landing — a feat that a growing number of economists believe might happen. At least one analyst, however, warns the CRE industry not to get too hopeful.
Features

The Four Archetypes of a Defaulting Tenant and How to Handle Them
Every distressed tenant will have a different situation and story to tell. Each will have a different approach to handling its lease obligations. Following is a primer to help the commercial landlord prepare for the default conversation with the tenant by looking at the different potential types of defaulting tenants it may face and advice on how to handle each type.
Features
Should There Be A Title Theft Statute?
Recent years have seen numerous reports of what has colloquially been called "property theft" or "deed theft." To fight deed theft in New York, the state Attorney General has championed a statute making "Property Theft" a crime.
Features

Converting Debt to Equity: An Alternative to Modification or Extension of Loans
Historically, lenders have been unwilling to go into business with their borrowers, preferring to observe a rigid separation between debtor and creditor. However, if an office property can be repositioned for another use, there is a path between extending the term of a loan and hoping for the best, and taking the property back and realizing a catastrophic loss.
Features
Do We Need A Title Theft Statute?
Recent years have seen numerous reports of what has colloquially been called "property theft" or "deed theft" in New York. The state Attorney General has championed a statute, now introduced in the state legislature, making "Property Theft" a crime. Would the statute be helpful?
Features

Economic Stability Could Lead to Significant Increase In CRE Activity In 2024
Before deal activity in the commercial real estate lending sector can approach anywhere close to returning to its 2021 highs, many commercial real estate borrowers, investors and lenders will look for stable interest rates — either a cessation of rate hikes, or, at the very least, a clear ceiling.
Features

Mass. Appeals Court Holds That Email to Landlord Constituted 'Effective Notice' to Prevent Automatic Lease Renewal
Despite a provision in a commercial lease that prohibited electronic notice, the Massachusetts Appeals Court sided with a tenant in holding that an email to its landlord constituted effective notice to opt out of an automatic five-year lease extension.
Columns & Departments
Development
Court Reserves Decision Pending Further Proceedings When ZBA Produced Inadequate Findings of Fact to Support Variance Grant Landmark Designation Upheld Despite Town's Failure to Call Public Hearing Within Code's Time Limit
Features

The Fed Worries About Bank CRE Loans for a Good Reason
The Federal Reserve and other regulators have been focused of late on bank problems, and well they should. But concern is now spreading to commercial real estate and the possibility that interplays between CRE borrowers and lenders could, under current conditions, create a positive feedback loop that could increasingly hurt both.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- Coverage Issues Stemming from Dry Cleaner Contamination SuitsIn recent years, there has been a growing number of dry cleaners claiming to be "organic," "green," or "eco-friendly." While that may be true with respect to some, many dry cleaners continue to use a cleaning method involving the use of a solvent called perchloroethylene, commonly known as perc. And, there seems to be an increasing number of lawsuits stemming from environmental problems associated with historic dry cleaning operations utilizing this chemical.Read More ›
- The Bankruptcy Code's Anti-Discrimination Section and COVID-19The pandemic has spurred analysis of legal issues as businesses grapple with their respective relationships with both private and public entities. In this article, the authors examine Section 525 of the Bankruptcy Code — the anti-discrimination section, and its implications during COVID-19.Read More ›
- Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright LawsThis 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.Read More ›
- Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult CoinWith each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.Read More ›
- Cutting Off the Stream: How United States v. Silver Affects "Stream of Benefits" or "Retainer" BriberyAlthough the court stressed that, by vacating certain of former NY State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's counts of conviction, it was clarifying and not altering the "as opportunities arise" theory, it nevertheless emphasized that this theory requires particularity with respect to the "question or matter" that is the subject of the bribe payor and recipient's corrupt agreement.Read More ›