Ask the Lawyer

Real Estate Law

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Q: I own a large commercial space on the North Shore and have been renting it out to a manufacturer. The company leasing space was recently cited for environmental violations and I am concerned that as a landlord, I will be responsible for any clean-up. What are my obligations?

A: As a general observation, an owner/landlord of the property which does or may have an adverse environmental condition on the property, is one of the parties responsible for remediation. Also included can be the tenant, if the condition arises from its use and operation and prior owners and/or tenants if they are involved or responsible as well.


Given the very technical nature of these types of issues and the potential for very expensive remediation costs for which you likely will be in the chain of responsible parties, you should consult with an experienced real estate or environmental lawyer with expertise in this area so that you benefit from the best advice possible in determining your scope of responsibility and protecting your ownership of the property.

Abraham B. Krieger is Co-Chair of the Commercial Real Estate practice group and a member of the Corporate Finance Law practice of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. located in Garden City, Long Island, N.Y.   Mr. Krieger joined the firm in 2007 focusing his broadly-based practice on representing businesses and individuals in commercial and residential real estate lending, sale, and lease transactions and real estate, lease and commercial litigation. An integral portion of his practice includes representing commercial lenders and borrowers on real estate fiduciary transactions and title insurance companies on defending fee title and mortgage validity claims. 

For the past fifty years, the law firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. has created a reputation for integrity, insight and intellect that has helped establish the standard for excellence in the practice of law. With offices in Albany, Garden City, Manhattan and Washington, D.C., the firm provides legal advice in the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy, Corporate Finance, Corporate, Criminal Defense, Disability Insurance Claims, Employee Benefits, Employment Law, Government Relations, Labor Law, Litigation, Real Estate, Tax Certiorari & Condemnation, Trusts, Wills and Estates. “Ask the Lawyer” is provided by Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. to inform on matters of public interest. The information contained herein is not to be construed as legal advice or opinion. We provide such advice or opinion only after being engaged to do so with respect to particular facts and circumstances.