Tenant I’m evicting lost lease

[Mike Buckley]

I have a commercial tenant that I am evicting at the end of the lease term. Their lawyer called me and requested a copy of the lease agreement. Do I legally have to provide them a copy considering they lost the original copy they were given?

[Nathan Gesner]

I can't say whether you are legally required but it's a reasonable request. If you're abiding by the contract, why would you refuse to share it? Giving it to the attorney would demonstrate you are operating within the boundaries of the contract and within the law, at which point he would advice his client to drop the suit.

If you refuse to share it, that seems to imply you have something to hide.