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Learn more about Land Lease Agreement in India
This Land Lease Agreement is a legal document that allows the tenant to utilise the landlord’s property in exchange for rent. Land leases operate in much the same way as typical real estate leases, and tenants can engage into both residential and commercial lease agreement. If the intended activity on the Land is commercial, it is critical to include all descriptions related to this activity to avoid future disputes between the owner and the Tenant. The majority of land leases are unrestricted, allowing the Tenant to construct a temporary or, in certain situations, permanent construction at their own expense. The property is leased using this Land Lease Agreement, which provides the required terms to enable you safeguard your asset while getting paid for the usage of the land.
Table of contents
What is a Land Lease Agreement?
A land lease, often known as a ground lease, is the leasing of a parcel of land. It is a sort of commercial real estate lease in which the lessee is allowed to construct on the rented land. A land lease, on the other hand, can be utilized for a wide range of purposes, from commercial to residential to agricultural. A Land Lease Agreement varies from other commercial and residential contracts in that it concentrates on the property itself and the purpose of the lessee’s permissions and duties.
As with any other lease, there are two parties involved: the landowner and the tenant. The two parties sign a land leasing agreement including all contractual duties and ground regulations. The lessee then pays the landlord rent on a regular basis. If the lessee fails to pay the rent, the landlord may evict the tenant. They can be adapted to the parameters of the transaction being conducted by the landowners and lessees. The length of a land lease might range from 50 to 99 years.
What is included in the Land Lease Agreement?
The final Land Lease Agreement may include a range of lease stipulations for tenants and landlords, which may change based on local state laws, the kind of land, and the area. However, there is a set of provisions that should always be included in a land leasing agreement:
1. Clause of Severability
To avoid future issues, this language must be included in your land leasing agreement. A severability provision states that if a court finds that a certain piece of your lease is illegal, the remainder of the lease agreement remains legal and enforceable. If your land leasing agreement does not include a severability provision, the court may rule that the entire deal is unenforceable and unlawful.
2. Permitted uses have been established
During the length of the land leasing agreement, there are typical concerns regarding the use of a pond or agricultural farm on the property, access to any other structures on the land, and admittance to the park on the land. If these questions are not adequately addressed, they may leave things hanging and lead to future problems.
As a result, the permitted uses for the leased property should be indicated specifically in the land lease agreement. These specify how the renter may use the property, but the landlord retains all other property rights.
Landlords may avoid future disputes by identifying approved uses, and renters will know exactly what they can and cannot do on the leased area.
3. Unambiguous ground rules
Make certain that your property leasing agreement specifies appropriate regulations for vehicle access (both on and off-road) since trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt motorcyclists may cause considerable damage if the laws are not clearly specified. This may result in the landlord wasting time, money, and effort in repairing damage that could have been easily avoided. Establish ground rules for communication between the tenant and the landlord, such as the best manner for the tenant and the landlord to speak with one another if necessary. As a result, it’s a good idea to provide emergency contact information for the other party in the property leasing agreement.
4. Requirements for upkeep
This is another critical piece of information to include in a property leasing agreement, regardless of the length. You should budget for maintenance costs and clearly specify who is accountable for doing maintenance. A land leasing agreement specialist may also assist you in developing a budget for maintenance needs.
5. Provide sufficient insurance coverage
Tenants who use the property for risky purposes such as hunting, farming, mining, trade, or other activities should ensure that they are adequately insured. Inadequate insurance coverage might lead to civil lawsuits. Landlords should ensure that the land leasing agreement includes information on insurance and how it will be maintained.
6. Rent payment and due date
The payment terms should be as explicit as feasible. The rent due date, the grace period for late payments, and the “penalty” amount you will charge your renter for late payments must all be included. If you do not include this condition, you may have difficulty collecting late payments, so make sure you thoroughly read everything.
7. Renewal and Stockpiling
This provision often requires the tenant to give you with early written notice if they intend to extend the lease or plan to move out at a certain time. Tenants should offer 30-to-60 days’ notice of their decision to renew their lease. This will allow you plenty of time to locate a new renter within 30-60 days, and if the tenant fails to submit that early notice, they will be held liable for the extra days of rent. Remember that if you do not include renewal/holding over requirements, the tenant will only be liable for paying the rent until the end of the lease, relieving them of any additional days they spend on your property before moving out.
8. Termination without Cause
An early termination provision describes the conditions under which you can end the land leasing agreement before the term expires. This provision terminates the two parties’ connection by terminating the duties specified in the agreement.
9. Lease Termination Provisions
A termination clause gives both parties the opportunity to request that the lease be canceled before it ends. The early termination provision differs from the lease termination clause in that the latter indicates mutual written permission between the landlords and the tenants. The early termination provision, on the other hand, states that the landlord has the right to cancel the agreement if the tenants breach any lease term. As a result, the landlord releases the renters from any future obligations, and the tenants surrender control of the property.
This provision terminates the two parties’ connection by terminating the duties specified in the agreement.
10. Clause requiring a security deposit
The security deposit is one of the most important parts of any property leasing agreement. All parties should agree on the deposit amount before signing any documents. To begin, specify the amount of the deposit, who will keep it, and when the funds will be returned to the renters. You must also specify how the security deposits will be used to pay for particular damage, essential repairs, or overdue rent.
What if you rent without a Land Lease Agreement?
According to Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act 1882, in the absence of an agreement, both parties can stop the lease by delivering a notice to quit. The time restriction starts when the notification to quit is received. This notification must be written and sent to the party, and it must be followed.
This section divides the length of a lease into two categories in order to determine it:
A land leasing arrangement for agricultural or manufacturing uses that is designated a year lease will be cancelled six months before the end of the year.
How can ground leases benefit both owners and lessees?
A land lease arrangement saves both the landowner and the tenant money on real estate taxes because purchasing land needs more taxes and other fees than leasing. Unlike traditional land acquisitions, no cash payment is required upfront. This might reduce the amount of upfront equity required to fund the venture. As a result, a renter may be able to free up more funds for another investment, while the landowner may enjoy a consistent source of revenue from rental payments while still holding the real property. Another significant advantage of a land leasing agreement for renters is that it allows them to access properties in excellent places where purchasing property outright is prohibitive.
What types of Land Lease Agreement to use?
Land leases are classified into two types: subordinated and unsubordinated.
The tenant’s construction lender obtains superior rights to the land through a subordinated land lease. If the landowner is using the land as collateral in a deal to finance renovations, this is frequently done. A subordinated ground lease is hazardous, but the positive is that it allows landowners to charge more and receive better conditions in exchange for the increased risk.
The landowner retains first priority for all claims on the property under an unsubordinated land lease. If the renter defaults, the landowner, not the lender, retains possession of the land. This sort of land lease provides greater security to the landowner but is riskier for lenders, hence funding for an unsubordinated land lease may be more difficult to get.
Because of the restricted cash flow, the return of a land lease is often lower than that of other forms of leases. It can, however, provide a secure and consistent cash flow. It may be a mutually beneficial collaboration with the proper renter!
How to draft a Land Lease Agreement?
Every land leasing contract is subject to negotiations and negotiation, and hence each one is unique. However, in order for the agreement to be legitimate, the following facts must be included:
➤ The landlord's and tenant's names and contact information |
➤ The entire address and description of the property |
➤ Agreement duration |
➤ Rent amount, due dates, and payment method |
➤ The amount of the security deposit |
➤ Pet restrictions and requirements |
➤ Utilities: Indicate which party is in charge of delivering water, electricity, and other essential requirements |
➤ Maintenance: It is advised that you address who is accountable for keeping the land in a specified condition |
➤ Improvements: The renter must obtain written permission from the landlord before making additions or adjustments to the land, and the landlord may or may not preserve such improvements |
➤ The agreement must state if the landlord has the right to enter the property at specific times |
➤ The parties agree on which state's laws will be utilized to settle any potential issues |