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By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. July 16, 2014 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Given the change in the economy over the past several years, some landlords have seen more lease defaults than ever before. That being the case, many landlords who deal with commercial properties have sought to obtain personal guarantees from potential tenants. But what is a personal guarantee on a commercial lease? Simply put, a personal guarantee means that the business owners or individuals who are acting as guarantors will be responsible for making the lease payments should something go wrong with the business itself. Even if a business is an LLC or a corporation, a landlord might refuse to rent the sought-after space without a personal guarantee. Both landlords and tenants should note, however, that there are ways in which to customize personal guarantees in order to make certain that the terms are fair and reasonable for both parties.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. July 2, 2014 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Leases, regardless of whether they are oral or written, generally only last for certain periods of time. Some leases are monthly, while many leases are for a one- or two-year period. Landlords who rent properties typically do so with the expectation that their tenants will comply with the terms of the lease agreement and make their payments in a timely fashion. However, much to the dismay of many landlords, some tenants chose to vacate their apartment earlier than the lease termination date, and when that happens, it can be a nerve-racking experience.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. June 30, 2014 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Landlords are often faced with a variety of tenant-related issues, some of which might land them in a courtroom.  A common issue that leads to litigation for many landlords concerns constructive eviction based upon a tenant’s claim that the apartment is uninhabitable.  Such claims can arise when a tenant seeks to break his or her lease months prior to its expiration, and without penalty, because the tenant considers the dwelling to be uninhabitable.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. April 16, 2014 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Many landlords in New Jersey and elsewhere throughout the Northeast have placed heavy restrictions on (or totally banned) having animals in their buildings. The reasoning behind the restrictions typically ranges from concerns over property damage to pet bites. That said, many standard rental agreements and leases contain no-pet provisions that will permit landlords to evict tenants who are caught in violation.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. April 9, 2014 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Prior to the changes made to the Bankruptcy Code, individuals who were facing the possibility of eviction would rush to file for bankruptcy protection as a way of "buying time" to either make a deal with the landlord or move somewhere else. However, when the laws were revised, landlords were given more of an incentive to vigilantly track those tenants who are in arrears on their rent.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. December 11, 2013 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Landlords, take note--a recent ruling made by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Darnice Green, et al. v. Morgan Properties, et al. might be opening the door to New Jersey renters pursuing consumer fraud claims against their landlords. Given the ruling, a well-versed New Jersey landlord tenant lawyer is likely to suggest that landlords double and triple check the language of their leases. The case came to the NJ Supreme Court on the defendants' petition for certification of the Appellate Division's ruling which reversed the lower court's decision to dismiss the complaint with prejudice.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. October 16, 2013 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

Renters in New Jersey are typically asked to put down first month’s rent when they sign a lease on a new place, as well as a pre-determined amount for a security deposit, in some cases equal to or even more than a month’s rent. Landlords collect these payments as an insurance policy, to hold tenants responsible for the overall condition of the apartment during their rental period. Before entering into a lease agreement, the attorneys at Griffin Alexander, P.C., landlord tenant lawyers in New Jersey, recommend that both parties review the state laws regarding security deposits.

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. September 10, 2013 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

A new bill awaiting the governor’s signature outlines plans to change the renting process and housing options for senior citizens and other renters, the landlord tenant lawyers at New Jersey law firm Griffin Alexander, P.C., say. 

By Jennifer L. Alexander, Esq. August 7, 2013 Posted in Landlord/Tenant Law Share

In April 1968, the federal government enacted the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to discriminate in the selling, financing, renting of houses, or any other housing-related transaction. This anti-discrimination law extends to the basis of race, country of origin, gender, religion, familial status, pregnancy, handicap or disability, and any other minority group.