Commercial lease agreements usually allow a landlord reasonable access rights—including the right to enter the leased premises to make necessary repairs or to renovate the property.

A commercial landlord may also enter the leased premises to prevent damage or harm to the property or its occupants due to a water leak, flood, fire, electrical outage, gas leak, burglary, robbery, or other emergency—or to allow a law enforcement officer to enter and ensure the safety of the property and its occupants.

A commercial lease will also usually give the landlord the right to enter and show the premises to prospective tenants—at least within some period of time before termination of the lease, if the landlord and tenant have not agreed to renew the lease or if the landlord or tenant has given notice of their intention not to renew the lease.

And in some circumstances a landlord’s right to enter the premises during the term of the lease may be implied—depending on the specific language in the commercial lease agreement and the nature of the tenant’s operations in the leased premises.

In Vermont, commercial lease agreements typically grant landlords reasonable access rights to the leased premises. These rights allow landlords to enter for necessary repairs, renovations, or to address emergencies such as water leaks, fires, or criminal activities that could harm the property or its occupants. Landlords are also permitted to enter the premises to show it to potential tenants, particularly as the lease nears termination and if there is no agreement to renew the lease or notice has been given by either party of an intention not to renew. The extent of the landlord's right to enter may vary based on the lease's specific language and the nature of the tenant's business. Vermont state statutes and federal law do not provide detailed regulations on these matters, so the lease agreement itself is the primary governing document. Tenants and landlords should ensure that the lease clearly outlines the conditions under which the landlord may access the premises to avoid disputes.