Commercial Tenant Protections2025-05-16T11:52:54-04:00

Commercial tenants typically lack the same rights and protections as residential tenants, and most BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small businesses rent rather than own their space. Small business tenants often operate in a precarious position due to unpredictable rent hikes and evictions, unregulated fees, landlord harassment, lack of legal education and assistance, and unexpected disruptions to their operation, including forced relocation due to redevelopment or sale of their building. Commercial tenant protections reduce the risk of small business displacement by addressing these challenges and providing stability.

Tools

Commercial Rent Regulations

Regulations that limit the amount of rent landlords can charge businesses for new or renewed leases and how much they can increase rent during a specified period of time.

Anti-Displacement Codes of Conduct

Agreements that provide a roadmap for banks and financial institutions to practice responsible lending and investment in low-wealth neighborhoods.

Tenant Harassment Protections

Laws that protect small business owners and other nonresidential tenants from landlord harassment.

Community Benefits Agreements

Contracts between community groups and developers that require developers to provide amenities tailored to local community needs.

Eviction Protections

Laws that protect commercial tenants from unfair evictions or provide relief for tenants facing eviction.

Lease Protections

Laws that help small businesses negotiate, renew, or end a lease with terms that are not exploitative.

Community and Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Acts (COPA & TOPA)

Laws that give commercial tenants or community groups the opportunity to purchase their building when it is sold.

Relocation Assistance and Right-to-Return Policies

Policies that protect tenants when their commercial space is sold, renovated, or otherwise uninhabitable or unaffordable.

Strategies in Action

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