My office suite has a leak in the ceiling. Lease states that lessee is responsible for all repairs at their expense inside the unit. Is this problem included in that considering it's a structural issue, and perhaps related to the exterior as well?
There's only one sentence in my lease that addresses repairs and it states, "lessee, at his or her expense, will be responsible for any cleaning and repairs inside the unit."

I'm a small business and I don't want to deal with this obviously. Looking at that part of the ceiling it looks like there was some type of cheap material thrown over where it may have leaked before, but clearly that wasn't a permanent solution and that would be the type of solution that I would probably be doing as well.

I don't want to contact my landlord about this unless they can fix it on my behalf. Otherwise my lease is up soon and I just want to leave it. I'm on the top unit and clearly it's a roof issue so I feel like that they should take some responsibility? Any suggestions?
[{"id": "h324o4p", "text": "What\u2019s above you, roof or another floor of offices? If it\u2019s the roof, sounds like landlord problem and they should fix it. It could be a leak caused by hvac, in which case you have to look in the lease and see who is responsible for repairs caused by that. From your description, it sounds like it would be a LL problem since the issue is coming from outside your unit.", "replies": [{"id": "h324zh1", "text": "I'm the top unit and we've had a few bad storms lately so that would be my guess, but it could be HVAC. Thanks I feel better letting them know.", "replies": [{"id": "h4esbam", "text": "If this is in Mass, let me know. There are cases involving commercial leases and how it\u2019s the landlords responsibility to repair any roof issues once put on notice. Even if the lease says tenant is responsible. Other states may have similar requirements. I can forward you the cases if you\u2019d like.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h32569f", "text": "Roof is on the landlord. But it could be something else.  Does it happen only when it rains?", "replies": [{"id": "h325kpj", "text": "We've had some serious storms here very recently and I thought I saw evidence of water coming in before that, but today I found small puddles from drips, etc. Otherwise, I don't think it's an every time it rains type of thing. But looks like it's been an issue before me.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h327fc2", "text": "Look for any type of mold or mildew. Take picture and send them over email. That\u2019s the fastest way to get any property management to respond to leaks. If none is present take pictures of the leak and say you are worried about possible growth. Document,\nDocument, Document. Non responses should be elevated to corporate above the management team.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h32fvaz", "text": "I note that you quote the lease as it relates to your responsibilities. Just to clarify, there is nothing that states the landlord\u2019s responsibility, like \u201cLL shall repair, at it\u2019s sole expense, the structural portions of the Building (or however it\u2019s defined), including, but not limited to, the roof, foundation and exterior walls,\u201d correct?  It most cases, the scenario you describe (multi-tenant, multi-floor structure) puts the roof on the landlord; however, the verbiage in the lease contract would prevail, not what is typically the case. \n\nIf there is no other language in your lease stating the landlord repair responsibilities, then you could try to argue the roof membrane and roof system are \u201coutside\u201d the premises, and therefore not your responsibility.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h33joaf", "text": "What do you all think of triple-net leases?", "replies": [{"id": "h34voby", "text": "This is a triple net lease, but given that they are in a multi unit building, the roof is not the responsibility of the top floor tenant.\n\nThe roof repairs should be paid for under the common area expenses of the building, and shared between the tenants, and the landlord if there is any vacancy. Typically, an expensive replacement item like a roof would be paid for up front by the LL and the tenants would be responsible for paying for it, amortized over several years, although depending on the building, it might be repaired or replaced under common area maintenance.\n\nBuilding and lease specific.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h33tt7h", "text": "Generally speaking as most commercial leases should be written this way, If there's a leak in the roof it's not an issue in the unit. It's a structural issue the landlord should repair. An interior unit repair might be a leaky faucet or replacing a broken light balast or bulb.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h34l86q", "text": "Unless your lease is a triple net lease, office leases are typically structured to be modified gross. The responsibility rests on the LL to maintain core building systems..roof, hvac, plumbing, electric, walls, etc\u2026 that beings said it sounds like a roof leak, air conditioner leak, or potentially a sprinkler leak. You should email your LL letting him know about the issue (and document it in writing) so that after you move out he/she doesn\u2019t try to charge you for any damage to the premises aka discolored ceiling tiles, mold, ect. \n\nLeases are drawn up to document who is responsible for what because typically commercial leases are multiple years in length and people forget what they originally agreed to. Only is the worst scenarios is it used as a \u201cgot ya\u201d to extract money from the other party. The lease is your protection and you should typically have an attorney review it.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h3x7lf5", "text": "Roof is landlord responsibility.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "h3x7onf", "text": "Just to clarify is this a single tenant location?", "replies": [{"id": "h3xnm8k", "text": "The unit is just me but it's a multiple unit office building of about 8 tenants.", "replies": [{"id": "h3xure5", "text": "You're trash", "replies": [{"id": "h3xvjce", "text": "Are you stalking me? Creep, get some sunshine today...", "replies": [{"id": "h409ky7", "text": "Weather's terrible and it reminded me of you", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]