Current Issues in Cell Tower Leases

$219.00

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Description

Get clear, current answers to top cell lease questions-rents, 5G impacts, renewals, sales, and more!

This program provides an excellent overview of the basics of cell tower leases lease renewals and lease sales. It is taught by two faculty members with decades of experience representing private and government cell site landlords, who share their experiences helping property owners and local counsel (who only occasionally deal with cell leases) better negotiate with wireless industry personnel who work on leases every day. Key business terms and issues in cell site leases, initial rents, average rents, and rent increases possible at renewals, avoiding clauses that interfere with the normal use of the property, and 5G service upgrades are covered, as well as why cell site leases on buildings are more complicated, requiring special provisions.

After covering more conventional lease terms, the faculty will discuss cell lease sales and future leasing rights, including typical sale issues when to sell and when not to sell and how to get the best price and terms in a sale. It emphasizes avoiding sales terms that the presenters have seen destroy property value. For governments and local agencies, the topic addresses additional key items in cell leases and lease sales that are unique to them. For all current and future wireless landlords, the program covers topics including lease terms and terminations access requirements radio frequency interference design and camouflage and radio frequency emissions safety. These topics are particularly important for commercial landlords, developers, and the like, who often own attractive sites for cell leases but are most at risk from a poor lease or sales terms harming the value of the property with the lease. Historically, the extensive Q&A session raises issues of interest to all participants.

Learning Objectives

– You will be able to review the basics of new cell site lease rents and terms.
– You will be able to discuss considerations surrounding selling a cell tower lease.
– You will be able to identify informaiton for state and local governments.
– You will be able to explain what you need to consider with drafting and counseling issues.

Presenter: Jonathan L. Kramer, Esq., Telecom Law Firm, P.C. Peter A. Schmidt, Varnum LLP
Credits*: CLE, ENG
Time of program 90 min, 1 pm ET
Date of program May 21, 2025

Entering Into or Renewing a Cell Tower Lease
• Basics of New Cell Site Lease Rents and Terms
• Impact on Rents by 5G Cell Service
• Increasing Rents at Lease Renewal – Industry Averages
• Location of Leased Area, Access, and Utility Easements
• Final Survey, Engineering Drawings Needed Before Signing
• Changes and Modifications to Lease, Leased Area, Site Design and Camouflage
• Avoiding Lease Terms Which Harm Property Use, Future Development
• Relocation Provisions, Why This Is Critically Important
• Utility Service and Property Tax Provisions
• Insurance, Bankruptcy Protections, and Other Lease Terms
• Rooftop Cell Antenna Leases Are More Complicated
• Special Lease Terms Needed

Selling a Cell Tower Lease
• 2024 Sales Prices – Around 20 Times Annual Rents
• Using Bid Process to Get Best Price and Terms in Final Sale Documents
• When Cell Lease Sales Make Sense and When They Don’T
• If Selling Property With a Cell Lease – Sell or Retain the Cell Lease First
• If Buying Property With a Cell Lease • Common Pitfalls to Avoid
• Avoiding Terms That Harm Property Values, Limit Future Property Development
• If Property Is Mortgaged, Issues With Bank Consent
• How Long a Lease Sale Takes, Start to Finish
• Why Rooftop Antenna Lease Sales Are More Complicated, Need Special Terms

State and Local Government Issues
• Bond Counsel Approval Often Needed
• Dillon’s Rule, Governmental Authority for a Sale
• Property Specific Restrictions, Reverters
• Procurement, Waste Issues

Drafting and Counseling Issues
• Business Pros and Cons
• Visualizing the Deal (Ground Level Sites; Rooftop Building Sites)
• Getting Multiple Offers via an RFP Process
• Signing Bonuses to Offset Owner’s Legal Fees and Transactional Fees

Question and Answers

CLE (Please check the Detailed Credit Information page for states that have already been approved) ,ENG ,Additional credit may be available upon request. Contact Lorman at 866-352-9540 for further information.

Jonathan L. Kramer, Esq.-Telecom Law Firm, P.C., John W. Pestle, Esq. – Varnum LLP, Peter A. Schmidt – Varnum LLP