Lease dated June 29, 2022 between the Company and with the Lakeview Business Center, LLC
Exhibit 10.7
LEASE
BETWEEN
LAKEVIEW BUSINESS CENTER LLC
AND
MULLEN AUTOMOTIVE INC.
LEASE
(Short Form)
THIS LEASE is made as of June 29, 2022 , by and between LAKEVIEW BUSINESS CENTER LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, hereafter called “Landlord,” and MULLEN AUTOMOTIVE INC., a Delaware corporation, hereafter called “Tenant.”
ARTICLE 1. BASIC LEASE PROVISIONS
Each reference in this Lease to the “Basic Lease Provisions” shall mean and refer to the following collective terms, the application of which shall be governed by the provisions in the remaining Articles of this Lease.
1. | Tenant’s Trade Name: N/A |
2.Premises:Suite No. 100 (The Premises are more particularly described in Section 2.1.)
Building:100 Technology Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
Project:Lakeview Business Center (as shown on Exhibit Y to this Lease)
3. | Permitted Use: General office and for no other use. |
4. | Commencement Date: August 1, 2022 |
5. | Lease Term: 36 months, plus such additional days as may be required to cause this Lease to expire on the final day of the calendar month. |
6. | Basic Rent: |
Months of Term or Period | Monthly Rate Per Rentable | Monthly Basic Rent |
1 to 12 | $1.85 | $29,231.85 |
13 to 24 | $1.91 | $30,179.91 |
25 to 36 | $1.98 | $31,285.98 |
Notwithstanding the above schedule of Basic Rent to the contrary, as long as Tenant is not in Default (as defined in Section 14.1) under this Lease, Tenant shall be entitled to an abatement of 2 full calendar months of Basic Rent in the aggregate amount of $58,463.70 (i.e. $29,231.85 per month) (the “Abated Basic Rent”) for the first 2 full calendar months of the Term (the “Abatement Period”). In the event Tenant Defaults at any time during the Term, all Abated Basic Rent shall immediately become due and payable. The payment by Tenant of the Abated Basic Rent in the event of a Default shall not limit or affect any of Landlord’s other rights, pursuant to this Lease or at law or in equity. Only Basic Rent shall be abated during the Abatement Period and all other additional rent and other costs and charges specified in this Lease shall remain due and payable pursuant to the provisions of this Lease.
7. | Expense Recovery Period: Every twelve-month period during the Term (or portion thereof during the first and last Lease years) ending June 30. |
8. | Floor Area of Premises: approximately 15,801 rentable square feet |
Floor Area of Building: approximately 31,603 rentable square feet
9. | Security Deposit: $60,000.00 |
10. | Broker(s): Irvine Management Company (“Landlord’s Broker”) is the agent of Landlord exclusively and Kidder Mathews of California, Inc. (“Tenant’s Broker”) is the agent of Tenant exclusively. |
11. | Parking: 57 parking spaces in accordance with the provisions set forth in Exhibit F to this Lease. |
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12. | Address for Payments and Notices: |
LANDLORD |
| TENANT |
| | |
Payment Registration Address: | | |
| | |
Email ***@*** to request an account for the Tenant Payment Portal. | | MULLEN AUTOMOTIVE INC. |
| | |
Notice Address: | | |
| | |
THE IRVINE COMPANY LLC | | |
550 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 | | |
Attn: Executive Vice President, Operations Office Properties | | |
LIST OF LEASE EXHIBITS (All exhibits, riders and addenda attached to this Lease are hereby incorporated into and made a part of this Lease):
Exhibit ADescription of Premises
Exhibit BOperating Expenses
Exhibit CUtilities and Services
Exhibit DTenant’s Insurance
Exhibit ERules and Regulations
Exhibit FParking
Exhibit GAdditional Provisions
Exhibit G-1Existing Furniture
Exhibit HLandlord’s Disclosures
Exhibit XWork Letter
Exhibit YProject Description
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ARTICLE 2. PREMISES
2.1.LEASED PREMISES. Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord the Premises shown in Exhibit A (the “Premises”), containing approximately the floor area set forth in Item 8 of the Basic Lease Provisions (the “Floor Area”). The Premises are located in the building identified in Item 2 of the Basic Lease Provisions (the “Building”), which is a portion of the project described in Item 2 (the “Project”). Landlord and Tenant stipulate and agree that the Floor Area of Premises set forth in Item 8 of the Basic Lease Provisions is correct.
2.2.ACCEPTANCE OF PREMISES. Tenant acknowledges that neither Landlord nor any representative of Landlord has made any representation or warranty with respect to the Premises, the Building or the Project or the suitability or fitness of either for any purpose, except as set forth in this Lease. Tenant acknowledges that the flooring materials which may be installed within portions of the Premises located on the ground floor of the Building may be limited by the moisture content of the Building slab and underlying soils. The taking of possession or use of the Premises by Tenant for any purpose other than construction shall conclusively establish that the Premises and the Building were in satisfactory condition and in conformity with the provisions of this Lease in all respects. Nothing contained in this Section 2.2 shall affect the commencement of the Term or the obligation of Tenant to pay rent.
ARTICLE 3. TERM
3.1.GENERAL. The term of this Lease (“Term”) shall commence on the date as set forth in Item 4 of the Basic Lease Provisions (“Commencement Date”) and shall end upon the expiration of the period set forth in Item 5 of the Basic Lease Provisions (“Expiration Date”).
3.2.DELAY IN POSSESSION. If Landlord, for any reason whatsoever, cannot deliver possession of the Premises to Tenant on or before the Commencement Date, this Lease shall not be void or voidable nor shall Landlord be liable to Tenant for any resulting loss or damage.
ARTICLE 4. RENT AND OPERATING EXPENSES
4.1.BASIC RENT. From and after the Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay to Landlord without deduction or offset a Basic Rent for the Premises in the total amount shown (including subsequent adjustments, if any) in Item 6 of the Basic Lease Provisions (the “Basic Rent”). If the Commencement Date is other than the first day of a calendar month, any rental adjustment shown in Item 6 shall be deemed to occur on the first day of the next calendar month following the specified monthly anniversary of the Commencement Date. The Basic Rent shall be due and payable in advance commencing on the Commencement Date and continuing thereafter on the first day of each successive calendar month of the Term, as prorated for any partial month. No demand, notice or invoice shall be required. An installment in the amount of 1 full month’s Basic Rent at the initial rate specified in Item 6 of the Basic Lease Provisions, and 1 month’s estimated Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses shall be delivered to Landlord concurrently with Tenant’s execution of this Lease.
4.2.OPERATING EXPENSES. Tenant shall pay Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses in accordance with Exhibit B of this Lease.
4.3.SECURITY DEPOSIT. Concurrently with Tenant’s delivery of this Lease, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum, if any, stated in Item 9 of the Basic Lease Provisions (the “Security Deposit”), to be held by Landlord as security for the full and faithful performance of Tenant’s obligations under this Lease, to pay any rental sums, including without limitation such additional rent as may be owing under any provision hereof, and to maintain the Premises as required by this Lease. Upon any Default by Tenant, Landlord may apply all or part of the Security Deposit as full or partial compensation. If any portion of the Security Deposit is so applied, Tenant shall within 5 days after written demand by Landlord deposit cash with Landlord in an amount sufficient to restore the Security Deposit to its original amount. Landlord shall not be required to keep the Security Deposit separate from its general funds, and Tenant shall not be entitled to interest on the Security Deposit. In no event may Tenant utilize all or any portion of the Security Deposit as a payment toward any Rent due under this Lease. Any unapplied balance of the Security Deposit shall be returned to Tenant or, at Landlord’s option, to the last assignee of Tenant’s interest in this Lease within 30 days following the termination of this Lease and Tenant’s vacation of the Premises. Tenant hereby waives the provisions of Section 1950.7 of the California Civil Code, or any similar or successor laws now or hereafter in effect.
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ARTICLE 5. USES
5.1.USE. Tenant shall use the Premises only for the purposes stated in Item 3 of the Basic Lease Provisions and for no other use whatsoever. Tenant shall not do or permit anything to be done in or about the Premises which will in any way interfere with the rights or quiet enjoyment of other occupants of the Building or the Project, or use or allow the Premises to be used for any unlawful purpose, nor shall Tenant permit any nuisance in the Premises or the Project. Tenant shall comply at its expense with all present and future laws, ordinances and requirements of all governmental authorities that pertain to Tenant or its use of the Premises, and with all energy usage reporting requirements of Landlord. Pursuant to California Civil Code § 1938, Landlord hereby states that the Premises have not undergone inspection by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) (defined in California Civil Code § 55.52(a)(3)). Pursuant to Section 1938 of the California Civil Code, Landlord hereby provides the following notification to Tenant: “A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) can inspect the subject premises and determine whether the subject premises comply with all of the applicable construction-related accessibility standards under state law. Although state law does not require a CASp inspection of the subject premises, the commercial property owner or lessor may not prohibit the lessee or tenant from obtaining a CASp inspection of the subject premises for the occupancy or potential occupancy of the lessee or tenant, if requested by the lessee or tenant. The parties shall mutually agree on the arrangements for the time and manner of the CASp inspection, the payment of the fee for the CASp inspection, and the cost of making any repairs necessary to correct violations of construction related accessibility standards within the premises.”
5.2.SIGNS. Provided Tenant continues to occupy the entire Premises, Tenant shall have the non-exclusive right to one (1) exterior building top sign on the Building for Tenant’s name and graphics in a mutually agreed upon location, subject to Landlord's right of prior approval that such exterior signage is in compliance with the Signage Criteria (defined below). Except as provided in the foregoing and except for Landlord’s standard suite signage identifying Tenant’s name and/or logo, Tenant shall have no right to maintain signs in any location in, on or about the Premises, the Building or the Project and shall not place or erect any signs that are visible from the exterior of the Building. The size, design, graphics, material, style, color and other physical aspects of any permitted sign shall be subject to Landlord's written determination, as determined solely by Landlord, prior to installation, that signage is in compliance with any covenants, conditions or restrictions encumbering the Premises and Landlord's signage program for the Project, as in effect from time to time and approved by the City in which the Premises are located ("Signage Criteria"). Prior to placing or erecting any such signs, Tenant shall obtain and deliver to Landlord a copy of any applicable municipal or other governmental permits and approvals, except to Landlord’s standard suite signage. Tenant shall be responsible for all costs of any permitted sign, including, without limitation, the fabrication, installation, maintenance and removal thereof and the cost of any permits therefor, except that Landlord shall pay for the initial installation costs only of the standard suite signage. If Tenant fails to maintain its sign in good condition, or if Tenant fails to remove same upon termination of this Lease and repair and restore any damage caused by the sign or its removal, Landlord may do so at Tenant's expense. Landlord shall have the right to temporarily remove any signs in connection with any repairs or maintenance in or upon the Building. The term "sign" as used in this Section shall include all signs, designs, monuments, displays, advertising materials, logos, banners, projected images, pennants, decals, pictures, notices, lettering, numerals or graphics. Tenant’s exterior signage rights under this Section 5.2 belong solely to Mullen Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any attempted assignment or transfer of such rights shall be void and of no force and effect. Should Tenant fail to have the exterior signage installed on or before October 1, 2022, then Tenant’s right to install same thereafter shall be deemed null and void.
5.3.HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Tenant shall not generate, handle, store or dispose of hazardous or toxic materials (as such materials may be identified in any federal, state or local law or regulation) in the Premises or Project without the prior written consent of Landlord. Tenant acknowledges that it has read, understands and, if applicable, shall comply with the provisions of Exhibit H to this Lease, if that Exhibit is attached.
ARTICLE 6. LANDLORD SERVICES
6.1.UTILITIES AND SERVICES. Landlord and Tenant shall be responsible to furnish those utilities and services to the Premises to the extent provided in Exhibit C, subject to the conditions and payment obligations and standards set forth in this Lease. Landlord’s failure to furnish, or any interruption, diminishment or termination of, services due to the application of laws, the failure of any equipment, the performance of repairs, improvements or alterations, utility interruptions or the occurrence of an event of force majeure (defined in Section 20.7) shall not render Landlord liable to Tenant, constitute a constructive eviction of Tenant, give rise to an abatement of Rent, nor relieve Tenant from the obligation to fulfill any covenant or agreement.
6.2.OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF COMMON AREAS. During the Term, Landlord shall operate all Common Areas within the Building and the Project. The term “Common Areas” shall mean all areas within the Building, Project and other buildings in the Project which are not held for exclusive use by persons entitled to occupy space.
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6.3.COMMON AREAS. The occupancy by Tenant of the Premises shall include the use of the Common Areas in common with Landlord and with all others for whose convenience and use the Common Areas may be provided by Landlord, subject, however, to compliance with Rules and Regulations set forth in Exhibit E. Landlord shall at all times during the Term have exclusive control of the Common Areas, and may restrain or permit any use or occupancy. Landlord may temporarily close any portion of the Common Areas for repairs, remodeling and/or alterations, to prevent a public dedication or the accrual of prescriptive rights, or for any other reasonable purpose.
ARTICLE 7. REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
7.1.TENANT’S MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. Subject to Articles 11 and 12, Tenant at its sole expense shall make all repairs necessary to keep the Premises and all improvements and fixtures therein in good condition and repair. Tenant’s maintenance obligation shall include without limitation all appliances, interior glass, doors, door closures, hardware, fixtures, electrical, plumbing, fire extinguisher equipment and other equipment installed in the Premises, together with any supplemental HVAC equipment servicing only the Premises. Should Landlord or its management agent agree to make a repair on behalf of Tenant and at Tenant’s request, Tenant shall promptly reimburse Landlord as additional rent for all reasonable costs incurred (including the standard supervision fee) upon submission of an invoice.
7.2.LANDLORD’S MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. Subject to Articles 11 and 12, Landlord shall provide service, maintenance and repair with respect to the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (“HVAC”) equipment of the Building (exclusive of any supplemental HVAC equipment servicing only the Premises) and shall maintain in good repair the Common Areas, roof, foundations, footings, the exterior surfaces of the exterior walls of the Building (including exterior glass), and the structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems of the Building (including elevators, if any, serving the Building), except to the extent provided in Section 7.1 above. Notwithstanding any provision of the California Civil Code or any similar or successor laws to the contrary, Tenant understands that it shall not make repairs at Landlord’s expense or by rental offset. Except as provided in Section 11.1 and Article 12 below, there shall be no abatement of rent and no liability of Landlord by reason of any injury to or interference with Tenant’s business arising from the making of any repairs, alterations or improvements to any portion of the Building, including repairs to the Premises, nor shall any related activity by Landlord constitute an actual or constructive eviction. Tenant hereby waives any and all rights under and benefits of subsection 1 of Section 1932, and Sections 1941 and 1942 of the California Civil Code, or any similar or successor laws now or hereafter in effect.
7.3.ALTERATIONS. Tenant shall make no alterations, additions, decorations, or improvements (collectively referred to as “Alterations”) to the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord. Landlord may impose, as a condition to its consent, any requirements that Landlord in its discretion may deem reasonable or desirable. Tenant shall use Landlord’s designated mechanical and electrical contractors, obtain all required permits for the Alterations and shall perform the work in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ordinances with contractors reasonably acceptable to Landlord. Landlord shall be entitled to a supervision fee in the amount of 5% of the cost of the Alterations. Landlord may elect to cause its architect to review Tenant’s architectural plans, and the reasonable cost of that review shall be reimbursed by Tenant. Should the Alterations proposed by Tenant and consented to by Landlord change the floor plan of the Premises, then Tenant shall, at its expense, furnish Landlord with as-built drawings and CAD disks compatible with Landlord’s systems. Unless Landlord otherwise agrees in writing, all Alterations affixed to the Premises, including without limitation all Tenant Improvements constructed pursuant to the Work Letter (except as otherwise provided in the Work Letter), but excluding moveable trade fixtures and furniture, shall become the property of Landlord and shall be surrendered with the Premises at the end of the Term, except that Landlord may, by notice to Tenant given at the time of Landlord’s approval, require Tenant to remove by the Expiration Date or sooner termination date of this Lease, all or any Alterations (including without limitation any Tenant Improvements constructed pursuant to the Work Letter) installed either by Tenant or by Landlord at Tenant’s request (collectively, the “Required Removables”). In connection with its removal of Required Removables, Tenant shall repair any damage to the Premises arising from that removal and shall restore the affected area to its pre-existing condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted.
7.4.MECHANIC’S LIENS. Tenant shall keep the Premises free from any liens arising out of any work performed, materials furnished, or obligations incurred by or for Tenant. In the event that Tenant shall not, within 15 days following the imposition of any lien, cause the lien to be released of record by payment or posting of a proper bond in accordance with California Civil Code Section 8424 or any successor statute, Landlord shall have, in addition to all other available remedies, the right to cause the lien to be released by any means it deems proper, including payment of or defense against the claim giving rise to the lien. All expenses so incurred by Landlord shall be reimbursed by Tenant promptly following Landlord’s demand. Tenant shall give Landlord no less than 20 days’ prior notice in writing before commencing construction of any kind on the Premises.
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7.5.ENTRY AND INSPECTION. Landlord shall at all reasonable times and with reasonable prior verbal notice, except in emergencies or to provide Building services, have the right to enter the Premises to inspect them, to supply services in accordance with this Lease, to make repairs and renovations as reasonably deemed necessary by Landlord, and to submit the Premises to prospective or actual purchasers or encumbrance holders (or, during the final twelve months of the Term or when an uncured Default exists, to prospective tenants), all without being deemed to have caused an eviction of Tenant and without abatement of rent except as provided elsewhere in this Lease.
ARTICLE 8. SPACE PLANNING AND SUBSTITUTION
Landlord shall have the right, upon providing not less than 45 days’ prior written notice, to move Tenant to other space of comparable size in the Building or in the Project or in other space owned by Landlord or its affiliate(s) within 3 miles of the Building. The new space shall be provided with improvements of comparable quality to those within the Premises. Landlord shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket costs to relocate and reconnect Tenant’s personal property and equipment within the new space. Landlord shall also reimburse Tenant for such other reasonable out-of-pocket costs that Tenant may incur in connection with the relocation. Within 10 days following request by Landlord, Tenant shall execute an amendment to this Lease prepared by Landlord to memorialize the relocation.
ARTICLE 9. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING
9.1.RIGHTS OF PARTIES. Tenant shall not, directly or indirectly, assign, sublease, transfer or encumber any interest in this Lease or allow any third party to use any portion of the Premises (collectively or individually, a “Transfer”) without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld if Landlord does not exercise its recapture rights. Tenant agrees that it is not unreasonable for Landlord to withhold consent to a Transfer to a proposed assignee or subtenant who is an existing tenant or occupant of the Building or Project or to a prospective tenant with whom Landlord or Landlord’s affiliate has been actively negotiating. Any attempted Transfer in violation of this Article shall be a Default by Tenant and shall, at Landlord’s option, be void. Within 30 days after receipt of executed copies of the transfer documentation and such other information as Landlord may request, Landlord shall either: (a) consent to the Transfer by execution of a consent agreement in a form reasonably designated by Landlord; (b) refuse to consent to the Transfer; or (c) recapture the portion of the Premises that Tenant is proposing to Transfer. Tenant hereby waives the provisions of Section 1995.310 of the California Civil Code, or any similar or successor Laws, now or hereinafter in effect, and all other remedies, including, without limitation, any right at law or equity to terminate this Lease, on its own behalf and, to the extent permitted under all applicable laws, on behalf of the proposed transferee. In no event shall any Transfer release or relieve Tenant from any obligation under this Lease, as same may be amended. Tenant shall pay Landlord a review fee of $1,000.00 for Landlord’s review of any requested Transfer. Tenant shall pay Landlord, as additional Rent, 50% of all rent and other consideration which Tenant receives as a result of a Transfer that is in excess of the Rent payable to Landlord for the portion of the Premises and Term covered by the Transfer. If Tenant is in Default, Landlord may require that all sublease payments be made directly to Landlord, in which case Tenant shall receive a credit against Rent in the amount of Tenant’s share of payments received by Landlord.
9.2.PERMITTED TRANSFER. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant may assign this Lease to a successor to Tenant by merger, consolidation or the purchase of substantially all of Tenant’s assets, or assign this Lease or sublet all or a portion of the Premises to an Affiliate (defined below), without the consent of Landlord, provided that all of the following conditions are satisfied (a “Permitted Transfer”): (i) Tenant is not then in Default hereunder; (ii) Tenant gives Landlord written notice prior to such Permitted Transfer; and (iii) if Tenant ceases to exist as a going concern as a result of any merger or consolidation of Tenant or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Tenant, the resulting successor entity has a tangible net worth not less than the tangible net worth of Tenant immediately before the Permitted Transfer. “Affiliate” shall mean an entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with Tenant.
ARTICLE 10. INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY
10.1.TENANT’S INSURANCE. Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall provide and maintain in effect the insurance described in Exhibit D. Evidence of that insurance must be delivered to Landlord prior to the Commencement Date.
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10.2.TENANT’S INDEMNITY. To the fullest extent permitted by law, but subject to Section 10.4 below, Tenant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Landlord and Landlord’s agents, employees, lenders, and affiliates, from and against any and all negligence, claims, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses arising either before or after the Commencement Date which arise from or are caused by Tenant’s use or occupancy of the Premises, the Building or the Common Areas of the Project, or from the conduct of Tenant’s business, or from any activity, work, or thing done, permitted or suffered by Tenant or Tenant’s agents, employees, subtenants, vendors, contractors, invitees or licensees in or about the Premises, the Building or the Common Areas of the Project, or from any Default in the performance of any obligation on Tenant’s part to be performed under this Lease, or from any act, omission or negligence on the part of Tenant or Tenant’s agents, employees, subtenants, vendors, contractors, invitees or licensees. Landlord may, at its option, require Tenant to assume Landlord’s defense in any action covered by this Section 10.2 through counsel reasonably satisfactory to Landlord. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall not be obligated to indemnify Landlord against any liability or expense to the extent it is ultimately determined that the same was caused by the sole negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord, its agents, contractors or employees.
10.3.WAIVER OF CLAIMS. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant, its employees, agents and invitees, and Tenant hereby waives all claims against Landlord, its employees and agents for loss of or damage to any property, or any injury to any person, resulting from any condition including, but not limited to, acts or omissions (criminal or otherwise) of third parties and/or other tenants of the Project, or their agents, employees or invitees, fire, explosion, falling plaster, steam, gas, electricity, water or rain which may leak or flow from or into any part of the Premises or from the breakage, leakage, obstruction or other defects of the pipes, sprinklers, wires, appliances, plumbing, air conditioning, electrical works or other fixtures in the Building, whether the damage or injury results from conditions arising in the Premises or in other portions of the Building, regardless of the negligence of Landlord, its agents or any and all affiliates of Landlord in connection with the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease, in no event shall Landlord be liable for Tenant’s loss or interruption of business or income (including without limitation, Tenant’s consequential damages, lost profits or opportunity costs), or for interference with light or other similar intangible interests.
10.4.WAIVER OF SUBROGATION. Landlord and Tenant waive all rights of recovery against the other on account of loss and damage to the property of such waiving party to the extent that the waiving party is entitled to proceeds for such loss and damage under any property insurance policies carried or otherwise required to be carried by this Lease.
ARTICLE 11. DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION
11.1.RESTORATION.
(a)If the Building of which the Premises are a part is damaged as the result of an event of casualty, then subject to the provisions below, Landlord shall repair that damage as soon as reasonably possible unless Landlord reasonably determines that: (i) the Premises have been materially damaged and there is less than 1 year of the Term remaining on the date of the casualty; (ii) any Mortgagee (defined in Section 13.1) requires that the insurance proceeds be applied to the payment of the mortgage debt; or (iii) proceeds necessary to pay the full cost of the repair are not available from Landlord’s insurance, including without limitation earthquake insurance. Should Landlord elect not to repair the damage for one of the preceding reasons, Landlord shall so notify Tenant in the “Casualty Notice” (as defined below), and this Lease shall terminate as of the date of delivery of that notice.
(b)As soon as reasonably practicable following the casualty event but not later than 60 days thereafter, Landlord shall notify Tenant in writing (“Casualty Notice”) of Landlord’s election, if applicable, to terminate this Lease. If this Lease is not so terminated, the Casualty Notice shall set forth the anticipated period for repairing the casualty damage. If the anticipated repair period exceeds 270 days and if the damage is so extensive as to reasonably prevent Tenant’s substantial use and enjoyment of the Premises, then either party may elect to terminate this Lease by written notice to the other within 10 days following delivery of the Casualty Notice.
(c)In the event that neither Landlord nor Tenant terminates this Lease pursuant to Section 11.1(b), Landlord shall repair all material damage to the Premises or the Building as soon as reasonably possible and this Lease shall continue in effect for the remainder of the Term. Upon notice from Landlord, Tenant shall assign or endorse over to Landlord (or to any party designated by Landlord) all property insurance proceeds payable to Tenant under Tenant’s insurance with respect to any Alterations. Within 15 days of demand, Tenant shall also pay Landlord for any additional excess costs that are determined during the performance of the repairs to such Alterations.
(d)From and after the 6th business day following the casualty event, the rental to be paid under this Lease shall be abated in the same proportion that the Floor Area of the Premises that is rendered unusable by the damage from time to time bears to the total Floor Area of the Premises.
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(e)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 11.1, but subject to Section 10.4, the cost of any repairs shall be borne by Tenant, and Tenant shall not be entitled to rental abatement or termination rights, if the damage is due to the fault or neglect of Tenant or its employees, subtenants, contractors, invitees or representatives.
11.2.LEASE GOVERNS. Tenant agrees that the provisions of this Lease, including without limitation Section 11.1, shall govern any damage or destruction and shall accordingly supersede any contrary statute or rule of law.
ARTICLE 12. EMINENT DOMAIN
Either party may terminate this Lease if any material part of the Premises is taken or condemned for any public or quasi-public use under Law, by eminent domain or private purchase in lieu thereof (a “Taking”). Landlord shall also have the right to terminate this Lease if there is a Taking of any portion of the Building or Project which would have a material adverse effect on Landlord’s ability to profitably operate the remainder of the Building or Project. The termination shall be effective as of the effective date of any order granting possession to, or vesting legal title in, the condemning authority. All compensation awarded for a Taking shall be the property of Landlord. Tenant agrees that the provisions of this Lease shall govern any Taking and shall accordingly supersede any contrary statute or rule of law.
ARTICLE 13. SUBORDINATION; ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE
13.1.SUBORDINATION. Tenant accepts this Lease subject and subordinate to any mortgage(s), deed(s) of trust, ground lease(s) or other lien(s) now or subsequently arising upon the Building or the Project, and to renewals, modifications, refinancings and extensions thereof (collectively referred to as a “Mortgage”). The party having the benefit of a Mortgage shall be referred to as a “Mortgagee.” This clause shall be self-operative, but upon request from a Mortgagee, Tenant shall execute a commercially reasonable subordination and attornment agreement in favor of the Mortgagee, provided such agreement provides a non-disturbance covenant benefitting Tenant. Alternatively, a Mortgagee shall have the right at any time to subordinate its Mortgage to this Lease. Upon request, Tenant, without charge, shall attorn to any successor to Landlord’s interest in this Lease in the event of a foreclosure of any Mortgage. Tenant agrees that any purchaser at a foreclosure sale or lender taking title under a deed in lieu of foreclosure shall not be responsible for any act or omission of a prior landlord, shall not be subject to any offsets or defenses Tenant may have against a prior landlord, and shall not be liable for the return of the Security Deposit not actually recovered by such purchaser nor bound by any rent paid in advance of the calendar month in which the transfer of title occurred; provided that the foregoing shall not release the applicable prior landlord from any liability for those obligations. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord’s Mortgagees and their successors-in-interest are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 13.1.
13.2.ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE. Tenant shall, within 10 days after receipt of a written request from Landlord, execute and deliver a commercially reasonable estoppel certificate in favor of those parties as are reasonably requested by Landlord (including a Mortgagee or a prospective purchaser of the Building or the Project).
ARTICLE 14. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
14.1.TENANT’S DEFAULTS. In addition to any other event of default set forth in this Lease, the occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a “Default” by Tenant:
(a)The failure by Tenant to make any payment of Rent required to be made by Tenant, as and when due, where the failure continues for a period of 3 days after written notice from Landlord to Tenant. The term “Rent” as used in this Lease shall be deemed to mean the Basic Rent and all other sums required to be paid by Tenant to Landlord pursuant to the terms of this Lease.
(b)Except where a specific time period is otherwise set forth for Tenant’s performance in this Lease (in which event the failure to perform by Tenant within such time period shall be a Default), the failure or inability by Tenant to observe or perform any of the covenants or provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by Tenant, other than as specified in any other subsection of this Section 14.1, where the failure continues for a period of 30 days after written notice from Landlord to Tenant.
The notice periods provided herein are in lieu of, and not in addition to, any notice periods provided by law, and Landlord shall not be required to give any additional notice under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161, or any successor statute, in order to be entitled to commence an unlawful detainer proceeding.
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14.2.LANDLORD’S REMEDIES. In addition to all other rights or remedies of Landlord set forth in this Lease, if a Default occurs, Landlord shall have all rights available to Landlord under California law, without further notice or demand to Tenant, including, without limitation, the right to terminate this Lease. In addition, Landlord has the remedy described in California Civil Code Section 1951.4 (Landlord may continue this Lease in effect after Tenant's breach and abandonment and recover Rent as it becomes due, if Tenant has the right to sublet or assign, subject only to reasonable limitations). In any case in which Landlord re-enters and occupies the Premises, by unlawful detainer proceedings or otherwise, Landlord, at its option, may repair, alter, subdivide or change the character of the Premises as Landlord deems best, relet all or any part of the Premises and receive the rents therefor, and none of these actions shall constitute a termination of this Lease, a release of Tenant from any liability, or result in the release of any Guarantor. Landlord shall not be deeme d to have terminated this Lease or the liability of Tenant to pay any Rent or other charges later becoming due by any re- entry of the Premises pursuant to this Section 14.2, or by any action in unlawful detainer or otherwise to obtain possession of the Premises, unless Landlord has first given Tenant notice that it is terminating this Lease. Any notice given by Landlord pursuant to Section 14.1 shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any notice required by Section 1161 of the California Code of Civil Procedure or superseding statute. Any payment of Rent following Landlord’s delivery of notice to Tenant pursuant to Section 14.1 shall not constitute acceptance of Rent. If Landlord elects to terminate this Lease pursuant to the provisions of this Section 14.2, damages shall include, without limitation, the remedy and measure of damages specified pursuant to California Civil Code Section 1951.2, which shall include the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the Term after the time of award exceeds the amount of Rent loss Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided.
14.3.LATE PAYMENTS. Any Rent due under this Lease that is not paid to Landlord within 5 days of the date when due shall bear interest at the maximum rate permitted by law from the date due until fully paid and if any Rent due from Tenant shall not be received by Landlord or Landlord’s designee within 5 days after the date due, then Tenant shall pay to Landlord, in addition to the interest, a late charge for each delinquent payment equal to the greater of (i) 5% of that delinquent payment or (ii) $100.00.
14.4.DEFAULT BY LANDLORD. Landlord shall not be deemed to be in default in the performance of any obligation under this Lease unless and until it has failed to perform the obligation within 30 days after written notice by Tenant to Landlord specifying in reasonable detail the nature and extent of the failure; provided, however, that if the nature of Landlord’s obligation is such that more than 30 days are required for its performance, then Landlord shall not be deemed to be in default if it commences performance within the 30 day period and thereafter diligently pursues the cure to completion.
14.5.EXPENSES AND LEGAL FEES. Should either Landlord or Tenant bring any action in connection with this Lease, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover as a part of the action its reasonable attorneys’ fees, and all other reasonable costs. The prevailing party for the purpose of this paragraph shall be determined by the trier of the facts.
14.6.JUDICIAL REFERENCE/ WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Landlord and Tenant agree that any disputes arising in connection with this Lease (including but not limited to a determination of any and all of the issues in such dispute, whether of fact or of law) shall be resolved (and a decision shall be rendered) by way of a general reference as provided for in Part 2, Title 8, Chapter 6 (§§ 638 et. seq.) of the California Code of Civil Procedure, or any successor California statute governing resolution of disputes by a court appointed referee. Nothing within this Section 14.6 shall apply to an unlawful detainer action. LANDLORD AND TENANT EACH ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS AWARE OF AND HAS HAD THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE WITH RESPECT TO ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY, AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH PARTY DOES HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND KNOWINGLY WAIVE AND RELEASE ALL SUCH RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS LEASE.
14.7.SATISFACTION OF JUDGMENT. The obligations of Landlord do not constitute the personal obligations of the individual partners, trustees, directors, officers, members or shareholders of Landlord or its constituent partners or members. Should Tenant recover a money judgment against Landlord, such judgment shall be satisfied only from the interest of Landlord in the Project and out of the rent or other income from such property receivable by Landlord, and no action for any deficiency may be sought or obtained by Tenant.
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ARTICLE 15. END OF TERM
15.1.HOLDING OVER. If Tenant holds over for any period after the Expiration Date (or earlier termination of the Term), such tenancy shall constitute a tenancy at sufferance only and possession shall be subject to all of the terms of this Lease, except that the monthly rental shall be 150% of the total monthly rental for the month immediately preceding the date of termination. The acceptance by Landlord of monthly hold-over rental in a lesser amount shall not constitute a waiver of Landlord’s right to recover the full amount due unless otherwise agreed in writing by Landlord. If Tenant fails to surrender the Premises upon the expiration of this Lease despite demand to do so by Landlord, Tenant shall indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from all loss or liability, including without limitation, any claims made by any succeeding tenant relating to such failure to surrender. The foregoing provisions of this Section 15.1 are in addition to and do not affect Landlord’s right of re-entry or any other rights of Landlord under this Lease or at law.
15.2.SURRENDER OF PREMISES; REMOVAL OF PROPERTY. Upon the Expiration Date or upon any earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall quit and surrender possession of the Premises to Landlord in as good order, condition and repair as when received or as hereafter may be improved by Landlord or Tenant, reasonable wear and tear and repairs which are Landlord’s obligation excepted, and shall remove or fund to Landlord the cost of removing all wallpapering, voice and/or data transmission cabling installed by or for Tenant and Required Removables, together with all personal property and debris, and shall perform all work required under Section 7.3 of this Lease. If Tenant shall fail to comply with the provisions of this Section 15.2, and remove any personal property within 10 days following the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, such personal property shall be conclusively deemed to have been abandoned, then Landlord may effect the removal and/or make any repairs, without notice and without incurring any liability to Tenant, and the cost to Landlord shall be additional rent payable by Tenant upon demand. Tenant hereby waives all rights under and benefits of Section 1993.03 of the California Civil Code, or any similar or successor laws now or hereafter in effect and authorizes Landlord to dispose of any personal property remaining at the Premises following the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease without further notice to Tenant.
ARTICLE 16. PAYMENTS AND NOTICES
All sums payable by Tenant to Landlord shall be paid, without deduction or offset, in lawful money of the United States to Landlord at its address set forth in Item 12 of the Basic Lease Provisions, or at any other place as Landlord may designate in writing. Unless this Lease expressly provides otherwise, all payments shall be due and payable within 5 days after demand. All payments requiring proration shall be prorated on the basis of the number of days in the pertinent calendar month or year, as applicable. Any notice, election, demand, consent, approval or other communication to be given or other document to be delivered by either party to the other may be delivered to the other party, at the address set forth in Item 12 of the Basic Lease Provisions, by personal service or by any courier or “overnight” express mailing service. Either party may, by written notice to the other, served in the manner provided in this Article, designate a different address. The refusal to accept delivery of a notice, or the inability to deliver the notice (whether due to a change of address for which notice was not duly given or other good reason), shall be deemed delivery and receipt of the notice as of the date of attempted delivery. If more than one person or entity is named as Tenant under this Lease, service of any notice upon any one of them shall be deemed as service upon all of them.
ARTICLE 17. RULES AND REGULATIONS
Tenant agrees to comply with the Rules and Regulations attached as Exhibit E, and any reasonable and nondiscriminatory amendments, modifications and/or additions as may be adopted by Landlord from time to time.
ARTICLE 18. BROKER’S COMMISSION
The parties recognize as the broker(s) who negotiated this Lease the firm(s) whose name(s) is (are) stated in Item 10 of the Basic Lease Provisions, and agree that Landlord shall be responsible for the payment of brokerage commissions to those broker(s) unless otherwise provided in this Lease. Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from any cost, expense or liability (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) for any compensation, commissions or charges claimed by any other real estate broker or agent employed or claiming to represent or to have been employed by Tenant in connection with the negotiation of this Lease.
ARTICLE 19. TRANSFER OF LANDLORD’S INTEREST
Landlord shall have the right to transfer and assign, in whole or in part, all of its ownership interest, rights and obligations in the Building, Project or Lease, including the Security Deposit, and upon transfer Landlord shall be released from any further obligations hereunder, and Tenant agrees to look solely to the successor in interest of Landlord for the performance of such obligations and the return of any Security Deposit.
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ARTICLE 20. INTERPRETATION
20.1.JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY. If more than one person or entity is named as Tenant, the obligations imposed upon each shall be joint and several and the act of or notice from, or notice or refund to, or the signature of, any one or more of them shall be binding on all of them with respect to the tenancy of this Lease, including, but not limited to, any renewal, extension, termination or modification of this Lease.
20.2.SUCCESSORS. Subject to Sections 13.1 and 22.3 and to Articles 9 and 19 of this Lease, all rights and liabilities given to or imposed upon Landlord and Tenant shall extend to and bind their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
20.3.TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence with respect to the performance of every provision of this Lease in which time of performance is a factor.
20.4.CONTROLLING LAW. This Lease shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
20.5.SEVERABILITY. If any term or provision of this Lease, the deletion of which would not adversely affect the receipt of any material benefit by either party or the deletion of which is consented to by the party adversely affected, shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Lease shall not be affected and each term and provision of this Lease shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
20.6.WAIVER. One or more waivers by Landlord or Tenant of any breach of any term, covenant or condition contained in this Lease shall not be a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other term, covenant or condition. Consent to any act by one of the parties shall not be deemed to render unnecessary the obtaining of that party’s consent to any subsequent act. No breach of this Lease shall be deemed to have been waived unless the waiver is in a writing signed by the waiving party.
20.7.INABILITY TO PERFORM. In the event that either party shall be delayed or hindered in or prevented from the performance of any work or in performing any act required under this Lease by reason of any cause beyond the reasonable control of that party, then the performance of the work or the doing of the act shall be excused for the period of the delay and the time for performance shall be extended for a period equivalent to the period of the delay. The provisions of this Section 20.7 shall not operate to excuse Tenant from the prompt payment of Rent.
20.8.ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings related to the Premises. This Lease may be modified only by a written agreement signed by Landlord and Tenant.
20.9.QUIET ENJOYMENT. Upon the observance and performance of all the covenants, terms and conditions on Tenant’s part to be observed and performed, and subject to the other provisions of this Lease, Tenant shall have the right of quiet enjoyment and use of the Premises for the Term without hindrance or interruption by Landlord or any other person claiming by or through Landlord.
20.10.SURVIVAL. All covenants of Landlord or Tenant which reasonably would be intended to survive the expiration or sooner termination of this Lease, including without limitation any warranty or indemnity hereunder, shall so survive and continue to be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective parties and their successors and assigns.
ARTICLE 21. EXECUTION
21.1.COUNTERPARTS; DIGITAL SIGNATURES. This Lease may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which shall be one and the same agreement. The parties agree to accept a digital image (including but not limited to an image in the form of a PDF, JPEG, GIF file, or other e-signature) of this Lease, if applicable, reflecting the execution of one or both of the parties, as a true and correct original.
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21.2.CORPORATE AND PARTNERSHIP AUTHORITY. Tenant and each individual executing this Lease represents and warrants to Landlord, and agrees, that such individual executing this Lease on behalf of Tenant is authorized to do so on behalf of Tenant.
21.3.EXECUTION OF LEASE; NO OPTION OR OFFER. The submission of this Lease to Tenant shall be for examination purposes only, and shall not constitute an offer to or option for Tenant to lease the Premises. Execution of this Lease by Tenant and its return to Landlord shall not be binding upon Landlord, notwithstanding any time interval, until Landlord has in fact executed and delivered this Lease to Tenant, it being intended that this Lease shall only become effective upon execution by Landlord and delivery of a fully executed counterpart to Tenant.
21.4.BROKER DISCLOSURE. By the execution of this Lease, each of Landlord and Tenant hereby acknowledge and confirm (a) receipt of a copy of a Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationship conforming to the requirements of California Civil Code 2079.16, and (b) the agency relationships specified in Item 10 of the Basic Lease Provisions, which acknowledgement and confirmation is expressly made for the benefit of Tenant’s Broker identified in Item 10 of the Basic Lease Provisions. If there is no Tenant’s Broker so identified in Item 10 of the Basic Lease Provisions, then such acknowledgement and confirmation is expressly made for the benefit of Landlord’s Broker. By the execution of this Lease, Landlord and Tenant are executing the confirmation of the agency relationships set forth in Item 10 of the Basic Lease Provisions.
ARTICLE 22. MISCELLANEOUS
22.1.NONDISCLOSURE OF LEASE TERMS. Except to the extent disclosure is required by law, Tenant shall keep the content of this Lease and any related documents confidential and shall not disclose such confidential information to any person or entity other than Tenant’s financial, legal and space-planning consultants, provided, however, that Tenant may disclose the terms to prospective subtenants or assignees under this Lease or pursuant to legal requirement.
22.2.TENANT’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The application, financial statements and tax returns, if any, submitted and certified to by Tenant as an accurate representation of its financial condition have been prepared, certified and submitted to Landlord as an inducement and consideration to Landlord to enter into this Lease. Tenant shall during the Term furnish Landlord with current annual financial statements accurately reflecting Tenant’s financial condition upon written request from Landlord within 10 days following Landlord’s request; provided, however, that so long as Tenant is a publicly traded corporation on a nationally recognized stock exchange, the foregoing obligation to deliver the statements shall be waived.
22.3.MORTGAGEE PROTECTION. No act or failure to act on the part of Landlord which would otherwise entitle Tenant to be relieved of its obligations hereunder or to terminate this Lease shall result in such a release or termination unless (a) Tenant has given notice by registered or certified mail to any Mortgagee of a Mortgage covering the Building whose address has been furnished to Tenant and (b) such Mortgagee is afforded a reasonable opportunity to cure the default by Landlord. Tenant shall comply with any written directions by any Mortgagee to pay Rent due hereunder directly to such Mortgagee without determining whether a default exists under such Mortgagee’s Mortgage.
22.4.SDN LIST. Tenant hereby represents and warrants that neither Tenant nor any officer, director, employee, partner, member or other principal of Tenant (collectively, “Tenant Parties”) is listed as a Specially Designated National and Blocked Person (“SDN”) on the list of such persons and entities issued by the U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). In the event Tenant or any Tenant Party is or becomes listed as an SDN, Tenant shall be deemed in breach of this Lease and Landlord shall have the right to terminate this Lease immediately upon written notice to Tenant.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lease as of the day and year first above written.
LANDLORD: |
| TENANT: | ||
| | | ||
LAKEVIEW BUSINESS CENTER LLC, | | MULLEN AUTOMOTIVE INC., | ||
a Delaware limited liability company | | a Delaware corporation | ||
| | | ||
By: | | By: | ||
| | | | |
| Steven M. Case | | | David Michery |
| Executive Vice President | | | CEO and Founder |
| Office Properties | | | |
| | | | |
By: | | | | |
| | | | |
| Holly McManus | | | |
| Vice President, Operations | | | |
| Office Properties | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
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