Office tenant sued by landlord over back rent

NEW ORLEANS- A local developer is suing a tenant who rented offices for allegedly failing to pay past due rent worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Kingfish Development LLC and Exchange Centre LLC filed suit against Icon Offices LLC on April 8 in the Orleans Parish District Court.

Kingfish claims that Icon Offices signed a lease agreement on Jan. 20, 2013. In September 2014, the landlord and tenant purportedly agreed that the base rent would remain at $13,000 per month until Feb 1, 2015 during which time the landlord would delay build out of additional space. On Feb 1, 2015, base rent was again increased to $14,000 per month and Kingfish claims that the tenant failed to pay this amount when it was due. The plaintiff further contends that the tenant was provided notice of default on Feb. 2, 2015, at which time the defendant made partial payment, but failed to pay the entire amount.

The defendant is accused of owing an unpaid amount under the lease of $45,562.49 which included $17,000 in past due base rent; $25,562.49 in past due plus hold over rent of $31,552.40 per month for each month. Additional attorney’s fees and cost collective under lease. The plaintiff claims the defendant confirmed receiving a receipt of the notice on March 27, 2015 by sending an email threatening to disrupt the landlord’s business and disturb other tenants in the building, located at 935 Gravier Place in New Orleans.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for failure to pay past rent.

Kingfish Development LLC and Exchange Centre LLC is represented by attorney Benjamin W. Janke.

The case has been assigned to Division L Judge Kern A. Reese.

Case no. 2015-3277.