While a number of facility rental agreements can be found online, the only sure way to know your contract provides adequate legal protection is to have it reviewed by a knowledgeable Houston business attorney. Often, facility owners will assume they have covered all of their bases, only to be hit with costly repairs and other liabilities not included in their rental agreement.
Those who rent out facilities sometimes focus on the, “you break it, you fix it,” mentality when drafting their facility rental agreement. So, they fill the contract with clauses that ensure any damage done to the facility will be the responsibility of the renter. While these should be included, they only offer a fraction of the legal protection a facility owner should have when renting out his or her space.
Facility rental agreements should preclude owners from liability on multiple levels: 1) from any damage done to the property, 2) from any theft that occurs as a result of the event held by the renter(s) of the facility, 3) from any injuries sustained by the individuals attending the event, and 4) from any attorney’s fees related to the aforementioned categories.
In addition, facility rental agreements should contain legally binding language regarding event cancellations. This section should specify up to how many days before the event the renter can cancel, and any deposits or refunds that will or will not be returned based on the date of cancellation.
If you are drafting a facility rental agreement, have a seasoned Houston business lawyer review it to ensure it offers the legal protection you need. With more than 28 years of experience, I offer an individualized approach, providing organizations with sound legal advice and practical solutions that meet their needs. Contact Patricia M. Davis, Attorney at Law today to schedule an initial consultation.