Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

i have tenants for commercial property in the city of Alexandria they signed a lease for 10 years but they have not been paying the rent or utilities during their buildout..he feels he should not have to pay until he gets his business going..that is not part of the terms of the lease only 2 months free rent so far they are behind on 2 months rent and 1 month of utilities @$8,000.00..since they are not in the property and the buildout is not complete until september can i lock the doors until they pay or terminate their..thanks


Asked on 8/03/12, 6:26 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Lock the doors? Better forget about any such self help remedies that could expose you to civil liability.

Your remedy is to file suit for breach of the lease agreement in the general district court and to request a judgment for all back rents owed and any collateral claims for damages attributable to this tenancy as well as a writ of possession from the court for these commercial premises.

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Answered on 8/03/12, 10:44 am


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