Listing DBA as Tenant Name on Commercial Lease Agreement (Retail

Member since 2021 · 10 posts · 4 votes

I'm signing a commercial lease and i have created an LLC for it. This is my first time doing it, when the landlord company sent me the lease agreement. Mine and my partner name is listed in Tenant as following " Joe Doe and John Dee DBA Timeline Greater LLC". If something happens like i'm not able to pay the rent on time, or something happened with the property in terms of repair (NNN lease) which i am not able to cover. Am I personally liable for it or will my LLC be liable for it?

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Jeff CopelandBusiness Member

Real Estate Broker · Tampa Bay/St Petersburg, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

You would normally sign as John Doe, Managing (or Authorized) Member of Acme LLC.

Your LLC's operating agreement will determine who can sign on behalf of the LLC, and whether one managing member can sign, or whether all members need to sign, etc.

Your lease (or a lease guaranty) will dictate whether you are also personally liable for the rent.

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Jeff CopelandBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Tampa Bay/St Petersburg, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
You would normally sign as John Doe, Managing (or Authorized) Member of Acme LLC.
Your LLC's operating agreement will determine who can sign on behalf of the LLC, and whether one managing member can sign, or whether all members need to sign, etc.
Your lease (or a lease guaranty) will dictate whether you are also personally liable for the rent.

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Abhi Patel
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Member since 2021 · 10 posts · 4 votes
3y
@Jeff CopelandI don't need to sign any lease guaranty nor does anywhere in lease describes lease guaranty.
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Jeff CopelandBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Tampa Bay/St Petersburg, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Abhi Patel:

@Jeff CopelandI don't need to sign any lease guaranty nor does anywhere in lease describes lease guaranty.

I never said you did.
I was just pointing out that either the lease itself, or a lease guaranty, is what would make you personally responsible, secondary to the LLC. It has very little to do with how you sign your name.
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Abhi Patel
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Member since 2021 · 10 posts · 4 votes
3y
@Jeff Copeland Thank you so much, this is great, appreciate the help here!
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John M.
Investor · Fairfax, VA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 805 votes
3y
In this case your names are written into the lease so yes you will be personally liable with your names on the lease. The DBA thing is just a reference point to how you are running a business.
P.S. most leases are written in the name of the llc and the managing member will sign at the bottom, however a prudent landlord would also have a separate personal guarantee.
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Abhi Patel:

The lease should be under the LLC and you sign as the manager of the LLC. There's no need to list your personal name and it may expose you personally to liability.

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