Frequently Asked Questions about Commercial Leases

I can’t pay my small business’s rent because of COVID-19 closures and restrictions. What should I do?

These Frequently Asked Questions are presented as a resource for small businesses through the Save Small Business Coalition, in partnership with the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Beaverton.

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Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce IMPACT logo link to website.
City of Beaverton, Oregon official full color logo.
  1. What should I do if I can’t pay the rent for my small business?
  2. Can the federal CARES Act help me pay my rent?
  3. Does Oregon’s “no evictions” order apply to commercial leases?
  4. Can I negotiate a change to my lease?
  5. Why would the property owner be willing to negotiate changes to my lease?
  6. How do I approach negotiating with the property owner?
  7. What are some terms that I can consider offering the property owner?
  8. If I am able to reach an agreement with the property owner, can we just agree over the phone?
  9. I can’t pay rent and can’t reach the property owner. Should I send them a letter explaining? Is that enough to forestall an eviction in the future?
  10. What if I already missed a rent payment and the property owner sent me a default notice?
  11. Am I still responsible for paying rent if I have to close my business?
  12. Will a “Force Majeure” or “Impossibility” clause get me out of the lease?
  13. What if my lease states that I have to be open during certain days and hours?
  14. What if the property owner wants to cancel my lease because the location is good and they think they can get more money from another tenant?
  15. What if I have to declare bankruptcy?
  16. If I am a month-to-month tenant, how does this impact my lease?
  17. I do not know if I have a lease (or can't find a copy of my lease). What should my next steps be?
  18. Where can I find more resources?