Commercial Lease Disputes in Ontario

Are you a commercial tenant facing a dispute over rent, additional rent, repairs, maintenance, renewal rights, or the use of your business premises? Are you a commercial landlord dealing with unpaid rent, a breach of lease, unauthorized use of the property, or a tenant who has failed to comply with its obligations? Or has a disagreement arisen over the termination, renewal, assignment, or interpretation of a commercial lease? Commercial lease disputes can interrupt business operations, affect valuable property interests, and expose landlords and tenants to significant financial losses.

What a commercial lease dispute may concern

Your rights, obligations, and available remedies will depend substantially on the terms of the commercial lease, Ontario’s Commercial Tenancies Act, and applicable common-law principles.

Disputes may concern:

• rent and additional rent
• operating costs
• repair and maintenance obligations
• permitted use
• renewal or extension rights
• assignment and subletting
• defaults
• termination
• re-entry
• distraint
• damages arising from a breach of the lease

How the lease and the alleged default affect your rights

The wording of the lease can be particularly important in determining the parties’ respective obligations and remedies, while the nature of the alleged default and the steps taken in response may affect whether and how contractual or statutory rights can be exercised.

How Zel Law can help

If a commercial lease dispute is affecting your business or property, speaking with a commercial litigation lawyer early can help you understand the lease, assess the alleged breach, and determine the appropriate way to pursue or defend a claim. Zel Law’s litigation lawyer has experience with commercial lease disputes involving landlords and tenants. Book a consultation to discuss:

• the lease
• amendments or renewals
• notices
• correspondence
• payment records
• the legal options that may apply

Related disputes

This is part of Zel Law’s business & commercial litigation practice in Ontario. For how fees work, see our flat-fee options.

• Landlord & Tenant Disputes
• Commercial Contract & Unpaid Invoices