If you thought it was the landlord, you are only partially right
So, you are about to sign your first commercial lease but you are unsure of what your responsibilities are and which are your landlord’s.
Of course, you wouldn’t want to pay more than you need to for a commercial lease. Who would?
Being able to know which are the obligations of the tenant and which ones correspond to the landlord will let you differentiate your responsibilities from the landlord’s, leading you to a better commercial lease and a better deal.
Normally, the landlord is responsible for all the building support systems and foundations, including commercial roofing repairs and commercial roofing maintenance. The landlord is also responsible for the deterioration of other parts of the structure such as electrical wiring, flooring, the walls, etc.
So if these suffer any damage, it falls under the landlord’s responsibility to repair it.
While the tenant is usually responsible for the objects inside the property that can be damaged by constant use and other superficial damages that the property could suffer, such as damaged fixtures, wallpapers, plumbing, etc. It will be the responsibility of the tenant, and he will have to cover the cost of the respective repairs.
However, more often than not, landlords decide to tweak the terms of the commercial lease in an attempt to make it more beneficial for them by making the tenant responsible for commercial roofing repairs and commercial roofing maintenance even though the law publicly says it’s the landlord’s duty. So, carefully read what you are about to sign, and don’t hesitate to request changes if you see something that isn’t fair.
But before you sign anything.
Here are two fundamental commercial roofing tips https://www.gusroofing.com recommends you follow before signing a commercial lease.
#1 Look at the type of commercial roofing of the building
Depending on what type of business you plan to start and the location where you plan to get the commercial lease, you should make sure that its commercial roofing is able to endure the most hostile weather from the area.
For example, if the location is known to have constant rains, you might want to avoid getting into a commercial lease for a building with metal roofing installed as this type of commercial roofing is terrible for humid areas. Besides, it is also one of the best and durable choices when not exposed to water.
Instead, commercial roofing like BUR, green roofs, TPO or EPDM would be much better choices for a building like this as they are fantastic at dealing with constant rains, moisture, and humidity overall.
We recommend these commercial roofings as they are great choices for their respective environment.
- EPDM for rainy weathers; Thermoset roof membrane is cheaper than other types of commercial roofing that can deal with moisture and water such as PVC. They have excellent durability and versatility while needing very minimal maintenance.
- Metal roofing for harsh sunlight; This type of commercial roofing is like the superman of all roofing types. It offers the highest longevity lasting up to 60 years, can resist impacts, and it’s fire-resistant. However, its kryptonite is water. When exposed to moisture or water, it tends to rust.
- Built-up roofing membrane; I call it the all-purpose commercial roofing. This roofing counts with great flexibility, water resistance, and a UV-resistant coat that helps reflect heat, making BUR a good choice for almost any weather. However, this commercial roofing has a relatively low lifespan of only 20 years.
#2 Specify who’s in charge of the commercial roofing repairs
This is very important. Ensure to carefully go over the terms of the commercial lease to avoid unnecessary disputes in the future.
Ideally, landlords should always be the ones to cover this expense along with the respective maintenance. After all, it’s their own property, right?
But there will always be some that want as little responsibility as possible and will try to put this burden on the tenant. I consider this to be incredibly unfair, and I suggest that you try to find a better deal if this is what you are being offered.
Make sure that the written agreement contains clear obligations regarding maintenance and repairs for both sides.