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The Leasing Hotline

By ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |
July 28, 2005

BREACH OF GROUND LEASE

A tenant and guarantor may be found liable for breach of a ground lease if the tenant fails to pay construction costs, even where the lease does not specifically provide for construction costs. Highlands Ranch University Park, LLC v. Uno of Highlands Ranch, Inc., Court of Appeals No.: 03CA0724, Court of Appeals of Colorado, Division Five, Jan. 27, 2005.

The landlord and tenant entered into a ground lease in June 2000, whereby the tenant agreed to construct a building on the leased site and lease the premises. In addition, the parent company of the tenant (the guarantor) guaranteed the tenant's obligations under the lease, with a maximum of 2 years of all rent, monies and charges payable under the lease from the time of any default. In December 2000, the tenant advised the landlord that it would not perform under the lease, and the tenant executed an estoppel certificate confirming that even though the tenant was not in possession of the premises, the lease was in full force and effect. The landlord commenced an action for damages, inter alia, and the trial court held that the tenant was liable under the lease. It further held that the guarantor was liable for 2 years worth of costs, including construction costs, even though the guaranty did not specifically provide for construction costs. The only limitation in the agreement regarding the guarantor's liability was a limitation on time.

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