When you’re looking to purchase commercial real estate in Texas, understanding everything that goes into this decision is essential. Many overlook the environmental implications of renting or owning commercial property, and it’s necessary to familiarize themselves with these matters. Additionally, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced Texas commercial real estate lawyer to help ensure you are in full compliance with the necessary laws. Keep reading to familiarize yourself with some of the most essential steps you must take regarding environmental regulations.
What Environmental Regulations Should I Familiarize Myself With?
Environmental regulations are put in place to help protect local ecosystems and the health of the community where the commercial property is located. Generally, there are different state and federal agencies and assessments you must adhere to to ensure you do not run into any legal trouble.
One of the most important regulations is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERLCA). This sets a baseline standard for how to identify potentially hazardous materials on a commercial property to properly dispose of these materials while also determining liability for any issues that arise. Failure to consider this law can result in your company being held liable for waste you never created.
Additionally, you’ll need to ensure you familiarise yourself with the necessary permits and reporting. These can include emissions and hazardous waste permits if necessary.
How Can I Ensure Compliance?
When purchasing a new commercial real estate property, doing your environmental due diligence is critical. Not only does this help ensure you’re adhering to local, state, and federal laws to help avoid a potential lawsuit, but it also helps build trust with the community your business is located in, as it shows you care about their health and well-being.
You should first begin by conducting an Environmental Site Assessment, which helps you identify potential risks with the property. If a risk is located, you’ll need to conduct Phase II, which determines the extent of the hazardous material on the land. This includes testing groundwater and soil.
In order to ensure you’re taking all necessary steps to reduce potential issues, working with an experienced attorney is in your best interest. They are familiar with the laws and regulations you’ll need to adhere to and can help save your business money while guiding you through the environmental due diligence process. Similarly, they can help manage potential liabilities, like negotiating responsibilities and liability for contamination.
At Dillard Property Law, PLLC, we understand that you have many things to consider as a business owner and may not have time to research all the local laws and nuances regarding environmental regulations in Texas. That’s why our team is ready to assist you. We have the necessary experience handling commercial property transactions, so you can feel confident that your purchase is in good hands. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you through these complex matters.
