The five-year lease
Work · One expertThe landlord wants me to sign a five-year lease for our second café at $4,800 a month, with a personal guarantee for the full term. Can I sign it as written by Friday?
Chief of staff
One expert is enough here: The Lawyer, on the clauses that bind you personally. The price is on the card before anything runs.
The LawyerLegal Protector

Asked first
Is the guarantee for the whole five years, or capped?
The whole termCappedNot sure
The call · The Lawyer
Don’t sign it as written. Ask for a break clause at the end of year two, and a guarantee capped at six months’ rent.
A guarantee for the full term puts about $288,000 on you personally if the café closes in its first year. A landlord with an empty unit has reason to accept a cap — and one who refuses tells you how they will act when something goes wrong.
One expert · about 45 credits on the card · an example, not a recorded run











