Topeka Commercial Real Estate Lawyers

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Commercial Real Estate Law in Kansas

In Topeka, Kansas, commercial real estate is any type of real property (land or permanent structures) being used for business purposes.

The laws in Topeka, Kansas which regulate commercial real estate differ considerably from the laws governing the rental and purchase of 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.

For example, commercial real estate typically isn't covered by rent control laws, nor does it carry with it an implied warranty of habitability (because people usually won't be living in it). Furthermore, it also doesn't come with a covenant of quiet enjoyment. However, some of the most basic legal protections (such as laws against fraud, and concealment of defects) apply in both the commercial and residential context.

Common Commercial Real Estate Law Issues in Topeka, Kansas

Financing: The majority of small businesses in Topeka, Kansas can't afford to make large real estate purchases with the money they have in the bank. Still, buying real estate is sometimes imperative for a business' survival. This problem is sometimes remedied by taking out a mortgage; a loan used to buy property, with that same property being used to secure the loan.

Duty to Disclose Defects: It is of the utmost importance that sellers and lessors of commercial real estate be up front about any defects that might be present in the property. Failing to disclose them can be bad, and actively concealing them can be much worse. In general, if a defect is serious enough that it would influence a reasonable person's decision to buy a piece of property, and the seller knows about it, the seller should disclose it. Failure to disclose can have serious results. If the buyer later discovers the defect, they can sue for the cost of repairing it, or for any reduction in the property's value caused by it. And, of course, if it causes any injuries, the buyer can sue the seller for those, as well.

Duty to Inspect: Lest you believe that the duty to disclose defects relieves any duty of diligence on the part of the buyer, the law will not reward such lapses with a major cause of action. Buyers have a duty to conduct a reasonable inspection of the property before they buy it, typicallyy with a licensed building inspector. If the buyer fails to do this, they won't be able to recover any damages for defects which they could have discovered through a reasonable inspection.

Encumbrances: Undisclosed encumbrances are defects of another sort: defects of title. An encumbrance is any interest that a third party has in the Topeka, Kansas commercial real estate. These typically take the form of easements, which are rights held by third parties to use the land for a specific purpose. Easements can have profound effects on how a new owner can use the land, so it is important to know about them before buying.

Can a Topeka, Kansas Attorney Help?

These issues can be very complicated, and most people consider such financially-weighty decisions to be very important. If you are one of those people, it's a smart move to contact a Topeka, Kansas real estate attorney if you are facing any of the issues discussed above.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Topeka

Topeka is the capital of Kansas, located along the Kansas River in Shawnee County. According to a 2010 census, the population is around 127,473 people. Three United States Navy ships have been named after Topeka, with the name USS Topeka.

What the city is most famous for is the landmark United States Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. This case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and declared that segregation based on race in public schools was unconstitutional.

The city itself is the largest employer, with around 8,400 people working for the city government. The school districts and health care system also employ a significant number of the residents. Many "big name" manufacturers are located in Topeka, such as Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Payless Shoe Source, and Frito-Lay.

Some popular attractions include the Kansas Museum of History, Combat Air Museum, the Kansas State Capitol, the Brown v Board of Education National Historic Site, Westboro Neighborhood, and Topeka Zoo.

Kansas is filled with many attorneys practicing is decent sized law firms, catering to inquiries in all practice areas. Overall, Topeka is a great, well-rounded place with just a little bit of everything to enjoy.

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