A business that leases real estate and improvements (buildings, etc.) in the form of space for offices, a warehouse, a restaurant, a nail or hair salon, a clothing store, a coffee shop, or other commercial (nonresidential) space will usually be required to sign a written contract known as a commercial lease agreement.
If the tenant (the business occupying the space) who signs a commercial lease agreement fails to pay the rent or continues to use the leased premises for a purpose other than as permitted by the lease agreement (after receiving notice of the improper use), the landlord may have the right to terminate the lease and lock the commercial tenant out of the space by changing the locks.
A commercial landlord’s ability to lock a commercial tenant out of the leased premises—sometimes referred to as one of the landlord’s self-help options or remedies because the landlord may be able to exercise these rights without going to court—depends on the specific language in the written lease agreement and the state's contract law.
For example, a state's contract law may determine if any breach of the lease agreement by the tenant was a material breach that might justify an extreme measure such as changing the locks.
Contract law in most states recognizes an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing between parties to a contract, and a commercial landlord who changes the locks on the leased premises because the tenant is a few days late paying the rent may be in breach of the landlord’s implied duty of good faith and fair dealing.
In South Carolina, a commercial lease agreement is a binding contract between a landlord and a tenant for the rental of nonresidential property, such as office spaces, warehouses, or retail locations. Should a tenant fail to pay rent or use the property in a manner not allowed by the lease, the landlord may have the right to terminate the lease. South Carolina law permits a landlord to use self-help remedies, such as changing the locks, to regain possession of the leased premises without going to court, but this is subject to the terms of the lease agreement and must be done in accordance with the law. The lease must explicitly allow for such self-help remedies, and the landlord must act in good faith. The implied duty of good faith and fair dealing in contract law requires that neither party will do anything to unfairly interfere with the right of the other to receive the benefits of the agreement. Therefore, a landlord must exercise caution and ensure that any breach of the lease by the tenant is material and justifies such actions as lockouts. An attorney can provide specific guidance on the proper procedures for addressing lease violations and executing self-help remedies in South Carolina.