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Ask Aaron! Your Questions on Florida Business Law Answered

What Can I Do in a Commercial Lease Dispute?

Posted by Aaron R. Resnick | Jun 23, 2026

Short Answer

Options in a Florida commercial lease dispute depend first on the lease and the type of default. A landlord may seek rent, possession, enforcement of guarantees, or other contractual remedies. A tenant may raise payment, repair, access, use, casualty, assignment, or landlord breach issues. Florida law treats nonresidential tenancies differently from residential tenancies, and lease language often controls matters the statute leaves to the parties. Before taking action, confirm notice, cure, payment, acceleration, waiver, security deposit, and dispute resolution provisions.

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over 25 years representing business owners in disputes. As seen in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Miami Herald.

Commercial lease dispute, Law Offices of Aaron Resnick

Tell Aaron what happened. What the lease says, what the landlord or tenant did, and what is at risk.

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Since 1998Representing business owners in major disputes
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When This Becomes Urgent

  • Rent is unpaid, the tenant is holding over, or the premises are being abandoned.
  • A three day notice, termination, lockout, eviction, injunction, or rent registry issue is active.
  • The dispute threatens a sale, refinancing, new tenant, business opening, permit, or valuable location.

What Usually Goes Wrong

  • Using residential lease assumptions in a commercial matter.
  • Sending a defective notice that forces the landlord to restart an eviction.
  • Accepting rent, changing locks, or using self help without understanding waiver and possession consequences.

Why Miami Experience Matters

Miami commercial leases reflect the property and neighborhood. A Brickell office, Wynwood retail space, Miami Beach restaurant, Doral warehouse, and Coral Gables medical office present different operational pressure. A Miami real estate litigator understands local leasing practice, judges, property economics, and the need to protect the rest of the building or business while the dispute is resolved. Commercial eviction is not residential eviction with larger numbers.

Local proof: Miami Beach Bar Association leadership

What to Have Ready

  • The complete lease, amendments, guarantees, assignments, and estoppel documents.
  • Rent ledger, invoices, deposits, notices, and proof of delivery.
  • Communications about default, repairs, access, use, renewal, or surrender.
  • Photos, inspection reports, permits, insurance, and casualty records.
  • The property owner's or tenant's desired business outcome and timeline.

What Typically Happens Next

Counsel identifies the default, required notice, cure rights, payment obligations, and remedy. Landlords may pursue possession and money claims while protecting the property and future leasing. Tenants may seek cure, access, declaratory relief, negotiation, or defenses supported by the lease and facts. Many disputes resolve through a surrender, payment plan, amendment, or buyout, but the agreement should be negotiated from a litigation ready position.

Related Questions and Reading

We Don't Make Promises. We Have Results to Prove It.

Aaron Resnick has handled business disputes in Miami since 1998 and is a fourth generation Miami attorney. He works hands-on on every case; the client gets Aaron on every major litigation issue, not a junior partner. The Law Offices of Aaron Resnick represents large corporations, Miami businesses and their owners, professional athletes and entertainers in Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and across Florida in business litigation and business counsel. Call 305-672-7495 or request a consultation.

This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.

Viewing this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Deadlines can be short. If your matter is time sensitive, call the office at 305-672-7495.

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About the Author

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Aaron R. Resnick

Aaron Resnick is a Miami business attorney who founded the Law Offices of Aaron Resnick in 2005. He is a past president of the Miami Beach Bar Association and has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2013.

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