1 What is a Ground Lease?
Damien Barlee edited this page 2025-06-14 06:04:57 +08:00


Ground leases are a kind of long-term lease contract in which a proprietor can lease their residential or commercial property to a tenant who will make improvements to the land. Ground leases prevail among business leases since they enable services to operate on costly realty residential or commercial property that they can't manage to purchase out right. In turn, property owners can benefit from improvements to the land and occupants can conserve cash on property expenses.

A ground lease is a kind of long-term lease arrangement that permits an occupant to build-and momentarily own-improvements on the leased land. Ground leases prevail in commercial property and can usually last up to 20-99 years. During the lease term, the renter usually constructs residential or commercial property for service usage. At the end of the term, they'll transfer ownership of the residential or commercial property to the landlord.
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A large franchise may make use of a ground lease to expand its organization into metropolitan locations with high realty expenses. This would permit them to construct a branch in a largely populated location without having to purchase pricey land upfront.

Because the ground lease process often includes development, occupants might require to secure loans to cover building and construction and other related costs.

Two primary types of ground lease agreements represent the risks connected with loans:

Subordinated ground leases put the loan lending institution's claims to the residential or commercial property above the property manager's. This develops a greater threat of losing the land if the tenant defaults, however allows the proprietor to work out greater rent payments with the tenant. In turn, the tenant may be able to more easily protect a loan with better rate of interest.
Unsubordinated ground leases give the landlord priority above the lending institution. This is a more steady and common option for proprietors, but it might make it more tough for occupants to protect a loan. As an incentive, landlords might provide lower rent costs to tenants who accept an unsubordinated ground lease.
FAQs

Who owns the structure in a ground lease?

Generally, occupants in a ground lease only pay lease on the land itself and maintain ownership of any improvements they make, such as structures they build on the residential or commercial property. However, ownership of those enhancements transfers to the property owner when the ground lease ends.

What takes place if you default on a ground lease?

That depends on the context of the lease and which celebration defaults. In a subordinated ground lease, the property manager dangers losing ownership of the land if an occupant defaults on a loan. Conversely, the renter might potentially lose the building they built if the property manager defaults on financial obligations.

Who pays residential or commercial property taxes in a ground lease agreement?

While it depends upon the lease contract, tenants are generally accountable for residential or commercial property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and repair work.

What's the distinction in between ground leases vs. land leases?

Both ground and land leases rent out land to a tenant. However, ground leases tend to permit tenants to establish the land, while a land lease may not.

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