A Washington D.C. commercial lease agreement is a binding contract for a tenant to lease retail, industrial, or office space. The agreement sets the responsibilities and rights for both landlords and tenants, as well as details about rent, penalties, deadlines and other items.
Commercial leases are generally longer and more complicated than a residential lease, so consulting with a lawyer is advisable.
Washington D.C. Commercial Lease Requirements
Washington D.C.’s Human Rights Act expands on the federal Fair Housing Act defining protected classes that cannot be discriminated against in commercial leases:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National origin
- Sex
- Age
- Marital status
- Personal appearance
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- Familial status
- Family responsibilities
- Disability
- Matriculation
- Political affiliation
- Source of income
- Status as a victim of an intrafamily offense
- Place of residence or business of any individual
Writing Commercial Lease Agreements in Washington D.C.
A Washington D.C. commercial lease agreement should generally contain the following:
- Landlord’s information
- Tenant’s information
- Property manager’s information (if using)
- Description of the property
- Authorized use of the property
- Type of lease (gross, modified-gross, or triple-net)
- Term of the lease and the commencement date
- Rent and landlord’s profit participation in operations (if any)
- Penalty for late/non-payment of rent (including eviction process)
- Option to renew the lease (if any)
- Permissible leasehold improvements allowed by the landlord
- Designation of the responsible parties for certain expenses and utilities
- Security deposit and refund policy
- Additional terms as needed (including municipal codes and restrictions)
- Landlord and tenant contact information and form for legal services
- Place for the signatures of all parties
- Miscellaneous terms specific to the lease
Sources
- 1 D.C. Code §§ 2-1402.21
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(a) General. — It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice to do any of the following acts, wholly or partially for a discriminatory reason based on the actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, disability, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, sealed eviction record, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or homeless status of any individual…
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