West Haven Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

Find the right Commercial Real Estate attorney in West Haven, CT

Commercial Real Estate Law in Connecticut

In West Haven, Connecticut, "commercial real estate" is any type of land or building which is used for a business, as opposed to residential, purpose.

The laws covering commercial real estate in West Haven, Connecticut are quite different from those applying to residential real estate.

Buyers and renters of residential property enjoy some pretty substantial legal protections, because the law of most states presumes that shelter (being necessary to survive, for the most part) is more important than business. Therefore, many of these consumer protections don't apply to commercial real estate.

These absent protections include rent control, and warranties of habitability, among others. The most basic protections, such as prohibiting sellers of real estate from lying about the property to the buyer, apply in any context, however.

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in West Haven, Connecticut

Financing: The majority of small business owners in West Haven, Connecticut probably can't afford to buy much real estate outright, with cash paid up front, so most small business purchase commercial real estate with a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan taken out for the purpose of buying real estate, using that real estate as collateral for the loan.

Concealment of Defects: Sellers and lessors of commercial real estate are under a duty to disclose any defects in the property which might impact the buyer's decision to purchase it, such as water damage, mold, or other structural problems. These defects are quite common, and the buyer has a right to know about them. If the seller doesn't disclose these defects, where they exist, the buyer can sue for any harm this causes.

Duty to Inspect: While buyers of real estate have some substantial protections with respect to defects, they also have some obligations. Before finalizing a purchase, buyers are expected to undertake a reasonable inspection of the property, usually by using a licensed building inspector. If the buyer fails to conduct an inspection, they typically won't be able to successfully sue, if defects are discovered after the purchase.

Encumbrances: An encumbrance is some small ownership interest in land held by a third party, or some right held by a third party to restrict the use of a parcel of land. A typical encumbrance is an easement. In West Haven, Connecticut, an easement is some right of some third party to make limited use of land owned by someone else. For example, cable companies often purchase easements from property owners (or they are imposed by the government) allowing them to string cable wiring from the telephone wires on the street to nearby houses. Like any other property right, the holder of an easement can prevent others from interfering with it. Obviously, if a buyer doesn't know about an encumbrance on a piece of land, he might find that he's unable to make the use of the land that he was expecting.

Can a West Haven, Connecticut Attorney Help?

Because of the complexity and importance of many of the issues concerning commercial real estate, it is almost always essential to consult with a West Haven, Connecticut attorney before buying or selling commercial real estate.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in West Haven

West Haven is known as "Connecticut's Youngest City", as it only recently incorporated 1961. Ironically, it is one of the oldest settlements in the nation dating back to the 1600's. The city is located in New Haven County and has a population of about 53,000. It was originally founded as a shipping and industrial center focusing on rubber production and buckle shops.

West Haven is home to several nationally-acclaimed schools such as the University of New Haven and Notre Dame High School. The city is also full of sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places such as the American Mills Web Shop and Old West Haven High School.

One of the main attractions in West Haven is the Savin Rock area. Savin Rock was originally home to a seaside resort and an amusement park for several decades. It has now been converted into a walk and beach path. These days the area hosts the annual Savin Rock Festival held every summer. The festival is a four-day event featuring music, food, and different musical bands every night.

Lawyers in West Haven, Connecticut spend a lot of their time in the New Haven County Superior Court, which hears a variety of different legal claims. Many West Haven lawyers are members of outstanding civic and professional organizations like the New Haven County Bar Association.

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