While these distinctions are not always valid (a residential tenant may be subject to a long-term lease and an office occupant might own an office condominium or even the entire building), most of the time they apply.

The key for the damaged party is to identify key issues, act quickly and maintain flexibility while the original damaged structure is being repaired.

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In many ways a new temporary lease is a more difficult animal when the tenant temporarily relocates to a location off-site. (Photo: iStock)

The commercial lease

When the commercial tenant is forced to leave for temporary space, unless the building owner is providing space elsewhere in the building or shopping center, the tenant will look for another place and must quickly obtain space in order to operate the business. In either instance, the tenant must make sure that it is duly protected.

If it is signing a temporary lease at the same structure (for example, an office building moves the tenant to transient quarters in the building), then the parties may subject the new temporary lease to the same terms as the existing lease with certain modifications.

For example, the size of the space, the rental due, the termination rights of the parties and contingencies for delays are all areas to be negotiated. In many ways a new temporary lease is a more difficult animal when the tenant temporarily relocates to a location off-site. In this case, an entirely new lease needs to be dealt with and the tenant will need to shorten the negotiating time without compromising too much.

Usually the landlord will require its form of temporary lease to be used, which may not be very different from its usual form. Generally, the tenant will want its attorney to review the proposed lease quickly but thoroughly, to avoid problems later.

Here are some of the issues that the tenant should address:

• Size of temporary space. The size needs to be adequate and the square footage accurate. The tenant may wish to independently measure the space.

• Flexibility to terminate or stay longer. The tenant cannot know for certain when the damaged space will be repaired, so the length of the temporary lease may be difficult to determine. It is important to try to negotiate termination extension rights, even if they cost a bit more. The tenant may also wish to explore month-to-month options. Another possibility is to enter into a year term, with an option to terminate on 30 days' notice, perhaps for a fee.

• Look closely at operating costs. Since the lease is only temporary, the best way to address operating costs is to include them in the rent without any adjustment for increases. The lease should ideally be full-service so that the tenant knows what its total costs are each month.

• Insurance issues can be key. Sometimes a landlord's short form temporary lease is so streamlined that it leaves out certain critical provisions because “it is only a short-term lease.” While the tenant may be tempted to ignore some of the complex language typically found in a commercial lease, this is not a good idea, particularly since the insurance provisions should not be neglected.

Mutual waiver of subrogation clause

For example, the tenant should insist on a mutual waiver of subrogation clause to protect it against the prospect of a negligent employee accidentally damaging the building in which the leased space is located. With a properly drafted waiver, it is much more difficult for the landlord's insurer to pay a claim for a major casualty and then be subrogated to the rights of the landlord to sue the tenant.

• Use Clause. Particularly in a retail setting, the tenant must remain vigilant and remember to have the zoning checked and, regardless of the type of lease, make sure any required occupancy certificates can be obtained quickly.

• Signage. Since this is a temporary lease, signage rights will likely be limited. However, in some cases, temporary signs will be very important to the tenant and will need to be addressed.

“There is a significant opportunity in creating an environment where leasing professionals can be used to provide assistance in relocating a commercial business using extra expense,” said Erich Parker, large loss claims manager, commercial property for the Southeast regional operations for Nationwide.

Related: Is your small business prepared for a disaster?

“The coverage is in place for most policies, but it is seldom used or even suggested. Every business has the ability to be set up in a temporary or possibly permanent relocation. I have worked with temporary relocation companies to temporarily relocate professional offices, retail businesses, restaurants, automotive services, and even gas stations. Using these services cannot only save the insurance companies a significant business income loss, but keep a business from losing valuable market share.”

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The residential lease

The difficulty with relocation for the homeowner is that without input from outside experts, he or she may be tempted to sign a streamlined document because “it is only a temporary lease.” The homeowner does so at his or her own risk, however, because even a simple residential lease is a legal document with potentially serious consequences. Many of the issues to be addressed are similar to those with which a commercial tenant must grapple.

Related: Helpinig homeowners recover after natural disasters

A “loss of use” temporary housing provider or other real estate expert can be very helpful in helping the insured navigate the rental process. For high net worth persons, hiring an attorney is advisable because deposits and damages can be much greater and the insured has much more exposure to liability.

One difference between the residential and the commercial tenant is that this could be the first lease the homeowner has ever signed, and unlike a printed mortgage, the lease is not nearly as standardized. A “standard lease” is a far cry from a Fannie Mae mortgage. So, with that in mind, here are some recommendations for homeowners:

• Assemble the team — quickly. The homeowner must work closely with the insurance adjuster, and preferably a Realtor (an individual who is a member of the National Association of Realtors) and/or a temporary housing company in locating and negotiating a temporary lease of space. Since the homeowner must uproot his family, speed is imperative. Often the Realtor can use a standardized lease form for a lease of a house provided by the local Board of Realtors.

Remember that the forms are protected under the copyright laws, so they can be used only by a licensed Realtor. Some of these forms are better than others, so they should be reviewed by an expert. Often, the landlord will provide the form of lease, in which case the homeowner must use his professional team to scrutinize it quickly.

The process of moving to temporary space — whether commercial or residential — will often be stressful and inconvenient; but with the right information and team of experienced professionals, the risks and exposures of the move can be easily mitigated.

Steven A. Loewy, Esq. ([email protected]) is an attorney with Real Estate Counselors, PLLC, where he focuses his practice on all aspects of real estate law. Loewy has served as the vice chairman of the Leasing Committee for the American Bar Association.

Chris Cramer ([email protected]) is national accounts manager for National Insurance Housing, and has been a licensed Realtor for more than 20 years. He focuses on relocation, temporary housing and business interruption, and other areas.

Related: The aftermath: Louisiana insurance agents assist clients while dealing with own losses