Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

3 years ago we rented a commercial space in Los Angeles county. We had to do extensive renovations on the building - much more than was anticipated in the beginning. The owner of the building was aware of everything we did and approved it. 2 years ago we were forced to move out due to the recession. We worked with the landlord to get a new tenant in and did. A week ago we received a demand for payment from Verizon stating that we cut a line when we did the renovations originally and they are demanding $1600. We told them we do not own the building and have been out for almost 2 years and referred them to the owner. We told them he re-leased the property. The owner of the building said since we did the renovations, we are responsible, not him and sent them after us again.

We do not own that building and have been out for almost 2 years. Can they come after us?


Asked on 12/22/10, 5:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Well, let's see. You ram someone's car in a parking lot. You drive away. Two years later the owner of the car tracks you down and demands payment. Do you tell them to go ask the parking lot owner for the money? Of course not. The other driver is certainly going to look to you. So, if you cut a line while doing renovations, you cut the line. You are responsible, not the owner and certainly not the new tenants. Now back to my car example, if you weren't driving, you could ask the person driving your car to pay. If you used a contractor and they cut the line, you can ask them to pay. Otherwise it's on you.

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Answered on 12/30/10, 6:20 pm


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