Verizon Cell Site Leases
Cell Tower Attorney is not affiliated with Verizon or Verizon Wireless. If you are looking for Verizon's website, please visit www.verizon.com. Verizon and Verizon Wireless are registered trademarks of Verizon.
Cell Tower Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to both private and public landowners who are being approached by Verizon to enter into a cell tower lease agreement. We offer sound legal advice on all aspects of the Verizon cell tower lease including:
- Lease negotiation
- Re-negotiation
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Litigation support
- Environmental due diligence
- General lease administration
We Help Protect Your Legal Rights.
While all cell phone carriers bargain differently, we find Verizon to be straightforward negotiators who are often willing to pay more for unique locations. However, Verizon cell site leases are perhaps the most onerous and one-sided from the landowner's perspective. Verizon's legal department is notoriously stringent in their review of leases and can be difficult to deal with, so knowing all your rights is imperative to striking a fair deal.
Cell Tower Attorney will explain your legal obligations and responsibilities as the landowner in a clear, concise manner. More importantly, we will assist you in negotiating a lease that best protects you and your property's interests while creating additional recurring revenue. If a representative of Verizon has contacted you about leasing your property, you may have received a lease proposal.
Verizon cell site leases usually contain the following provisions:
- Premises - This specifically describes the portion of property being leased by Verizon and grants the company 24/7, non-exclusive access to it.
- Term and Extensions - Verizon cell site leases are five years; beginning on the date Verizon technicians begin installing equipment on the property. The Agreement extends automatically for four additional terms of five years each, unless Verizon terminates the lease with notice. At the end of the fourth five-year renewal term, the Agreement will automatically extend for additional five-year terms unless either party terminates. During each of the additional five-year terms, the rental amount increases by a fixed percentage.
- Approvals and Termination - A Verizon cell site lease allows the company to use and operate the leased premises only for communications and other related purposes. Verizon has the right to replace, add, or repair its equipment at its discretion, but their use of the property is conditional upon government approvals and soil testing results. As the landowner in a Verizon cell site lease, you are obligated to cooperate with Verizon in obtaining such approvals.
- Indemnification - Both Verizon and you, the landowner, must agree to indemnify and hold each other harmless from any claim of injury or damages arising out of negligence or willful misconduct.
- Insurance - Verizon cell site leases require the landowner and Verizon to maintain general liability insurance and name the other as an additional insured.
- Interference - Verizon agrees not to install equipment that interferes with any existing equipment on the property. In the event of interference however, Verizon must take reasonable steps to remove it. You, the landowner, cannot terminate the lease if Verizon is acting in good faith to correct the situation and you cannot permit other tenants to install equipment that will interfere with Verizon.
- Removal - After the lease expires or is terminated, Verizon must remove all of its equipment from your property and restore it to its original condition.
- Right of First Refusal - If you should sell the property or grant an easement for the purpose of operating or managing communications equipment, Verizon reserves a right of first refusal to meet any such offer of sale or transfer.
- Assignment - Without your approval or consent, Verizon may assign its leases to any of its principals, affiliates, subsidiaries or any entity that acquires its assets. Verizon may sublet the site without your consent as well.
- Default - Verizon has 15 days to cure a monetary breach upon notice from the landowner and both parties have 30 days to cure a non-monetary breach upon notice from the other party.
If you are considering entering into a Verizon cell site lease agreement, call or e-mail us for a (free) consultation. If you retain us, we will make certain your rights are protected -- now and in the future.
If you are looking for information regarding the appropriate monthly rental amount, our related company, Steel in the Air, can assist you with evaluating Verizon offers and the fair market value for a Verizon lease.
