Hi guys! I hope you can help me with this business problem I am dealing with right now. Running my business almost means the world to me since thats basically my bread and butter. I have been lenient with the lessor thinking that we are having a good business relationship so as a lesee, thinking he was concerned about our business, I believed in all that he is practically saying during our first few months under their administration. But just yesterday, I came to a shock when the lessor posted a CLOSED FOR OPERATION sign in our front door. REASON: EXPIRATION OF CONTRACT. I dont know if he is going through the right process but they only gave me a reminder to renew just last Wednesday when my contract was already expired and they were demanding for the balance until thursday. Man! My rent is not small for a small space-- 40k for 50 sqm. I wasnt able to use my deposit for 6 mos yet he is demanding for my balance of 3 mos. And thats not all-- I even have a money that wasn't refunded yet because i gave him a down payment where in he never issued me any acknowledgement receipt for another space they offered me just beside my shop but the extension of the area didn't pursue only to find out that he got a new tenant yet he never gave me a refund. When we were asking help from his superior, he DRAMATICALLY DENIED THAT HE RECEIVED THE MONEY (I just figured recently that he does that to most tenants whom he received money.. he acts busy and never give any acknowledgement receipt) and told a common friend that we dont even have a proof that our hard earned money reached his hand! Now we were trying to contact him but he never replies. Unprofessionally, he tells those who asked that when they gave us the notice we didnt even bother talking to them. Hello! They gave us 1 day! How can I do that when the foot traffic was so low since they dont support their tenants. They never let people know that there are more establishments inside, they also allow same product selling for different merchants on which in most cases is the reason for small sales and made most of the tenants gave up even before their contract was over. Now here's the problem-- I dont know how can I get the money and my deposit so I can start again. In the contract it was stated that they will give the money after 2 months. He wouldnt let me operate because of the expiration of the contract that they will only renew if I pay my balance BUT they wouldnt also let me use my deposit! He wouldn't pay me too for my refund because he was denying it! I dont want to play along with his dirty tricks because he might as what he always does, use the contract. I am finding a way on how can I show you a copy of it but for some reason, my wifi is not working well so my scanner wont work properly too, maybe tomorrow I can post it already. Is there any legal action I can be protected because he uses the leasing contract that we have signed when he was still promising me that I am going to make a good business in their space. I believe theres an exception in every rule, its just right now, I dont know which one is it. This has been real tough for me thats why I need a good advise. I am getting out of the place almost empty handed because when he ordered for the closure, that was really immediate.. as in on the same day! I hope I can get help. It'll be so much appreciated. Thanks!
