Commercial Lease Does Not Last Forever.

Commercial lease term stated:  “Provided that Tenant shall not then be in default hereunder, Tenant shall have the option to extend the Term of this Lease for 5 (FIVE) YEARS additional FIVE year periods upon the same terms and conditions herein contained . . . .” The trial court concluded the commercial lease grants the tenant the right to unlimited five-year extensions for 99 years. A jury subsequently concluded the landlord breached the commercial lease and awarded damages.  The appellate court reversed and followed the holding in Becker v. Submarine Oil Co. (1921) 55 Cal.App. 698, [204 P. 245], that whether a commercial lease is to be perpetually renewed is at all uncertain, it “will be construed as importing but one renewal.”  Ginsberg v. Gamson  (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 8; April 30, 2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 873, [141 Cal.Rptr.3d 62].