Are there any rent control laws for non-residential tenants?

Question

Does anyone know of any place or ordinance that provides some form of rent control for leases on non residential property? for the small independent business owner? The mom and pop corner store?

I am so tired of seeing yet another cell phone, cable, loan stop, check cashing, and real estate brokerage move in to the spaces where those unique wonderful little shops, owned and operated by the locals, once flourished. Commercial landlords can be just as greedy as the slumlord owner. It just seems wrong to force out a meaningful local member of the community and replace with yet another piece of big business blight!

I've witnessed the rent-induced demise of too many great local businesses: such as my local guitar and music store, my vacuum repair shop, my jewelery repair, and one of my favorite little independent grocery stores. All of these proprietors were forced out by greedy and unscrupulous landlords who imposed impossible increases in rental rates. (some increases were 25-45%).

I would love to hear from any one out there who knows of a city or locality with protections in place for their small business owners with regards to rental increases.

Answer 1

No, why should any city protect any business from the effects of supply and demand?  If the business is viable, then it will be able to handle the rent increases.  If not, it will close or move.  The public supports businesses based on supply and demand.  If check cashing places are more profitable than your guitar store, it's because that's what the public WANTS.

I agree those sorts of places are a blight, but that's how the capitalist system works, like it or not.

Oh, and I do object to your characterizing the landlords as greedy and unscrupulous (no, I am not one).  They are also doing exactly what they should be doing, which is charging what the market will bear for their product, in this case space.  Just as the guitar store will charge as much for it's product as it can.  Again, this is part of the capitalist system, and one could argue quite convincingly that their DUTY is to charge what they can for their shareholders.  If they charge too highly, they may cause themselves a problem later, but that's how it works, and how it should work.

Answer 2

Some municipalities control development in areas of town that are considered "historic."  Typically, the regulations effectively prohibit "big box" retailers (Wal-Marts, and the like) from operating.  But, those ordinances only restrict the sizes of the shops, not the rent the landlords may charge.

Do people still repair vacuums???

Answer 3

I can't think of any cities doing this.

We are a Capitalist and Free Market country, if you are seeking to live in a Communist community you may think about moving to Cuba.

Market rates are set by the market itself, you can not regulate the market and still retain your freedom.    

This type of regulation would deny property owners of the Constitutional Rights.   If you are this against the Constitution you really need to immigrate out of the country.

Answer 4

There is no such thing.  Maybe in the future.  I am hoping that you can buy a location for your business.  It is time to stop renting.