Q: Can landlord allow new tenants not under contract to move into commercial space I lease without my consent?
Commercial lease May 1, 2018 to June 1, 2019. Was not permitted to move anything into space until last week of May 2018 due to landlord finishing remodel, no refund for loss of use. Business closed January 2019. I have paid all rent and utilities in full and on time. Repaired and painted, fully cleaned. Found doors unlocked twice with my belongings still there. Landlord notified me March 25th that I am released from my lease as of May 1st (1 month early), but I still need to pay for this month plus utilities, which is fine. On March 26th, I find that he has allowed the new tenants (as of May 1) to "store their things" inside the space I am fully paying for. He also gave them a key for my leased space. I told him it was not ok and the items must be removed, since I am under contract for that space until April 30th. One week later, and the items are still in my leased space and the door was again left unlocked. What legal recourse do I have, if any? How should I proceed?
A: There is always legal recourse. But it would never be resolved in court by May 1. It is unlikely you can force landlord to do anything. If any of your property goes missing, you could sue landlord for the value of it. Talk to landlord and the new tenant, and try to work it out.
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