Liability in an ADA Compliant Commercial Lease

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires anyone who owns, leases, or operates a place of public accommodation to make sure that the place or premises complies with ADA guidelines. This means that when drafting an ADA compliant commercial lease, a property owner must address how the parties to the agreement will comply with the ADA, and who will absorb the cost of a potential ADA lawsuit.

Title III of the ADA requires “barrier removal” for existing structures and prevents modifications or new construction that can impede access by the disabled persons. Barrier removal imposes a range of compliance obligations that may include installing ramps, creating designated and accessible disabled  parking spaces for the disabled, widening doors, installing special door hardware, and removing certain types of carpeting.

Determining and memorializing which parties are responsible for meeting ADA requirements is important. At least one individual will have the burden of paying the costs associated with ADA compliance. Generally, the landlord will be responsible for meeting any compliance requirements that deal with the structure of the building, while . A tenant will usually be responsible for issues that are solely within the tenant’’s control. To avoid any confusion about who has what responsibilities, there should be a provision clear language in the commercial lease spelling out the landlord’s and tenant’s respective responsibilities.

NoteablyNotably, both a landlord and tenant can be held liable to a third party plaintiff for violations of the ADA. In Botosan v. Paul McNally Realty, 216 F. 3d 827 (2000), a court held that despite the tenant’s contractual responsibility to ensure ADA compliance, either a landlord or tenant can be liable to a third party.