Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey

Re: commerical renting .

First (as always), you should consult with an attorney, or call your local bar office to see if there is any free/low cost legal service available in your area. Saving a few hunderd dollars may cost you much more, and that is not being thrifty!

That said, you must look to your lease!

You are REQUIRED to have a written lease. Your landlord knows or should know this. If you do not, the courts will hold this against the landlord while determining what the terms of the lease are, based upon what you and your landlord say the terms and conditions of the lease are. Don't get upset, because the court will assume the landlord knows the law, and will hold him to a higher standard than the court will hold you.

Generally, the tenant is responsible for rent plus costs, not including taxes, insurance, maintainance and repairs.

You CAN by agreement assume responsibility for these other costs, and it is common for leases in strip-malls or commercial co-ops to have a monthly charge for common area costs, and/or things like water and heating or cooling.

Again, FIRST look to your lease. Unless it says you are responsible to repair and/or replace the building equipment, you are not responsible.

Good luck to you.

Kevin J. Begley