response 201 of 220:

Feb 24 19:39 UTC 1999

Update, or summary, on the lease saga:

I went over to Aprill Agency this morning and spoke with our agent, Mr.
Johnston.  He is very aware of the legal problems regarding the ownership
of our building and he took some time figuring out how to phrase the
"Additionally Insured - Lessor"  title.  He made a copy of our lease and
again read the clause pertaining to liability insurance. 

Like the rest of the lease it included words and phrases not typically
found in a legal document (like casualty) but he felt pretty confident
that the standard policy calling for the stated limits would be fine and
match the intended coverage. 

I gave him the check, he gave me a certificate of insurance, and I was off
to Flying Dutchman.  The insurance coverage is due to start with the new
lease, June 1, 1999.  The final policy will be mailed to us in about 6
weeks. 

Ms. Watrous seemed happy to see the signed lease.  I mentioned there was
some question about the phrasing of the lease's liability clause and
showed her the certificate.  She said the policy, as written, was fine and
met the terms of the lease.  She signed and initialed both copies of the
lease, giving me back one for our records. 

Before leaving I wanted to make sure I had it perfectly clear how the
option to renew went.  And there was a difference from my recollection of
our first conversation.  She would like us to notify her 120 days before
the end of each lease term either way, whether we intend to stay or leave. 
Notice to stay could be a phone call but I'd suggest a written notice
would be best.  This should probably sent each year, in early January, and
signed by one of our officers.  I'd also volunteer to hand deliver this
notice for a couple of reasons, one being it's kind of nice to check in,
face to face, and make sure everything is going okay.  Catch little
problems? 

One more thing, kind of good news.  While talking with Mr. Johnston I
again got into what Grex is about, the shoestring budget, generous
volunteers, and all.  He had already notice how low our rent is compared
to most commercial rentals.  He said, "Hold on a sec, let me call Hastings
and ask about something."  He came back and said for the same $300 premium
they added on $10,000 property coverage.  Our property coverage.  Nice. 

So that's it.  We're done (knock wood) for at least
one more year.

response 203 of 220:

Feb 24 21:38 UTC 1999

   Good news, Mary.  So we also have $10,000 of property coverage that
would go to us, if say we had a fire?

response 205 of 220:

Feb 25 00:00 UTC 1999

   Ah, I don't think they can do that.  It says as long as we've paid out
bills and we both agree to continue, the rate goes up 5%.  For them to get
around that would be tricky, I'd think.

response 207 of 220:

Feb 25 01:24 UTC 1999

Re #205:  The option clause says "Said option may be cancelled with a written 
120 day notice at the discretion of either Landlord or Tenant."  I read that
to mean that all they have to do is tell us so if they want to up the rent
more than 5%.

response 209 of 220:

Feb 25 02:25 UTC 1999

Presumably, if they want to raise it more, they would cancel the lease,
and offer us a new one.  There wouldn't be a problem with that, legally.

response 211 of 220:

Feb 25 12:23 UTC 1999

I asked for 5 years and Ms. Watrous suggested the 5% for each of those
years.  My understanding is that the option is only for the convenience of
both parties if both parties wish to continue the arrangement without
changing the lease's terms.  If either wants out or changes the option is
not taken (in our case) or granted (by Dutchman). 

I think you've hit it just right, Mark, regarding the request to notify
Dutchman either way, each January.  We now have a non-standard and
longer period before which notice must be given for Dutchman to terminate
our contract.  Asking us to notify her of our intentions each year, before
that deadline, will help insure the deadline doesn't get forgotten. 

I really don't have a problem with that either.  It's the give we'll
extend for taking the 120 days.  Besides, when all is said and done I
don't think we really want to be tenants somewhere where the management is
hostile and doesn't want us.  So if it came to that, anywhere, we'd want
out not to look for loopholes.

A whole lot of this contact is based on faith and good will.  We owe
more in electricity each month than the stipulated rent, yet there
is nothing in the contract obligating us to that payment.  We are
being trusted to pay for the power we use.  I know that we are
good for that trust.  But I'm pleased our landlord feels the same way.
I'm willing to extend that same trust back and keep the relationship
on the best terms possible.

Steve, we won't know the details of our (personal) property 
coverage until the policy arrives.  I doubt it's replacement
cost insurance so I think it would pay the market value of our
lost equipment up to $10,000.

response 213 of 220:

Feb 26 16:08 UTC 1999

Yeah, we can get $5 per card for all that sun 3 stuff without paying
shipping. :)

response 215 of 220:

Apr 14 11:40 UTC 1999

Re-reading my response #160 *I* don't understand what I was
suggesting.  So I can be of no help. ;-)

I marked all of the typos, spelling errors, and sentences that
were obviously mis-edited at some point.  I offered Ms. Watrous
this version and she snapped it up, with gratitude.  I expect 
the next version we see might look a little cleaner.

Regarding your last question - different people on different 
days.  Mark is a great listener, patient, avoids rudeness
and is about as even tempered as they come.  Me, on the 
other hand... ;-)  This was a fluke thing.

response 217 of 220:

Apr 15 22:00 UTC 1999

Most assuredly.  Good try, Mark.  Good job, Mary!  Yea to Mar*'s !!  :-)

response 219 of 220:

Jul 30 17:18 UTC 1999

   Thanks Chuck.