I am a tenant under a commercial lease with a couple of years to run and with the additional rent charges for real estate taxes and operation costs I feel I am paying way over current market rent rates. Is there anything I can do about it?

Unfortunately there really is not much you can do about it. The lease is a contract about the use of real property and as long as the landlord is providing the space in accordance with the terms of the lease, you are obligated to pay what is required by the lease. However landlords loath nothing more that a vacancy especially so when vacancy rates are up as they are now, so if you are happy with your space and its location now might be a good time to talk to your landlord about renegotiating your lease for a longer term with a reduction of the rent you are currently paying and perhaps a “freshening “ of your space and the common  areas. That might be especially appealing to your landlord if they have a mortgage coming due in the near future. It might be a good idea for you to talk to a commercial broker to determine what market rates currently are to be sure that your thinking is correct.. A commercial broker may also do a better job than you can in renegotiating with your landlord and almost always the landlord will pay your broker as part of the process.

If you have questions about this or any other real estate matter, please contact Tom Bennett at (617) 531-6574 or tvb@barronstad.com.