If my power was out for 21 days due to a hurricane and had to close my business for that length of time, doI owe rent for that period of time?
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If my power was out for 21 days due to a hurricane and had to close my business for that length of time, doI owe rent for that period of time?
Asked on October 10, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Virginia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Good question. You need to carefully read your written lease (assuming you have one) in that its terms and conditions control the obligations owed to you by the landlord and vice versa in the absence of conflicting state law. Look within the document to see if there is a provision regarding acts of god and abeyance of rent as a result.
Assuming you were not able to conduct business as a result of a power outage for twenty-one (21) days resulting from the recent hurricane, you were not getting the use of the commercial rental that you were paying for and you should be entitled to a rebate from the landlord if paid or if not paid, you should not be expected to pay rent for this time period.
I suggest that you speak with your landlord directly about your concerns and the twnety-one (21) day period.
Good luck.
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