Mass. Appeals Court: Accelerating Rent As Liquidated Damages Unenforceable
January 01, 2023
The Massachusetts Appeals Court recently reversed a judgment in favor of a landlord in a tenant default matter, finding that a provision of a commercial lease that accelerated the remaining rent as liquidated damages is unenforceable as a penalty. The opinion "brings uncertainty to thousands of existing commercial lease agreements."
Landlord & Tenant Law
December 01, 2022
Landlord's Re-Entry Not Authorized By Lease Provision
Plans to Demolish Building Supported Denial of Renewal Lease
Guarantor Entitled to Raise Questions of Fact About Entitlement to Rent Abatements
District Court Rules on Ripeness of Claim Under RLUIPA
December 01, 2022
When does a RLUIPA claim become ripe? A federal district court in the Southern District of New York dismissed a RLUIPA claim as unripe, borrowing ripeness doctrine from the takings context and declining to apply a "futility exception" to the requirement that a landowner obtain a final decision before proceeding to federal court.
Severing a Master Lease Raises Thorny Issues
December 01, 2022
A master lease structure is often used where a single landlord and a single tenant intend to lease multiple properties. By using a master lease structure to cover multiple properties as opposed to individual leases, the parties can streamline administration of a large-scale portfolio of properties. However, master lease severance comes with a series of complications.
CRE Case Roundup
December 01, 2022
A compilation of commercial real estate rulings in courts across the country.
Development
November 01, 2022
Article 78 Proceeding Not Ripe Even Though ZBA Had Not Made a Decision Within 62-Day Time Limit
Challenge to Landmark Designation Was Ripe and Stated Plausible Taking and Due Process Claims
Landowner Did Not Acquire Vested Rights Based on Invalidly Issued Building Permit
ZBA's Grant of Special Use Permit Upheld
Landlord & Tenant Law
November 01, 2022
Subtenant's Lease Obligations Not Terminated By Surrender of the Premises
Tenant Complied With Lease's Diligent Efforts Obligation
Court Upholds Holdover and Prejudgment Interest Provisions
Demolition Plans Suffice to Support Denial of Renewal Lease