Required Disclosures for Commercial Premises in Colombia

In the world of commercial real estate—vastly differing from the social protectionist nature of residential leasing for vulnerable populations—the Colombian state does not attribute extensive "paternalistic, unbreakable mandatory disclosures" to the primary commercial landlord or the corporate entity. The core relies on legal equality between fully operative and autonomous negotiating parties (e.g., a massive retail mall operator versus a franchise business).

However, there are tacit, binding aspects regarding the commercial object itself, whose omission equates to constitutive deception or ineffectiveness, leading to contractual rescissions loaded with financial damages against the offeror (the landlord).

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Commercial laws can be complex to interpret in litigation. Always consult an attorney specializing in Colombian real estate and commercial law for advice specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

1. Zoning and The Territorial Ordering Plan (POT)

A commercial contract must expressly indicate to both sides the primary construction limitations or "vocation" (low/medium impact commerce versus heavy industry) that apply to the zone where the warehouse, island, or store sits, alongside their corresponding municipal regulatory approvals.

A landlord (and their management agency) cannot omit the legal land status if they logically know—or the local zoning laws (POT) predetermine—that the business operations are banned. Creating unachievable commercial expectations after-the-fact is actionable.

• For Example: You rent out a space knowing the SME intends to use it as an open-floor nightclub (producing high decibel alcoholic sales), fully aware that the sector classifies the block as strictly residential, making a liquor license impossible via the Local Action Board (JAC) or Police Inspection. This concealment allows the corporation to cease operations, cancel the contract, and file a lawsuit against you. They can demand total restitution covering all their notary expenses, fruitless high-end furniture outlays, and even lost initial rent, arguing "bad faith" and civil dolus due to the premises' inoperable material state despite knowing the tenant's exact objective from day one.

2. Extracontractual Policies Mandated by Specific HOAs (Malls and Complexes)

In shopping centers and massive mixed office complexes regulated under the Horizontal Property Regime (LPH 675): The administrator and the landlord who share a multi-tenant deed (Enterprise Centers or Business Plazas) are contractually and civilly required to supply:

A. Rigorous Operational Manual (Internal Hours and Corporate Regulations): It is an obligation to unhesitatingly present the internal manuals or mall transit rules in the contract folios. If there are unexpected closures (e.g., the center does not open on weekends to the public), failing to deliver early legal disclosure surrounding an impeding clause for specific operation will shift the blame entirely to the landlord. B. Display Additional Expense Fees, Promotion, and Maintenance Surcharges (The famous "Joint Marketing Pools in Malls"). These deductions and adhering costs for renting an office or store within an active mall structure must not be omitted, or else later accounting liquidations forced onto the commercial tenants will be invalidated. C. Demand Mandatory Stipulations Regarding Block Hiring or Internal Policies: Every tenant in a closed mall typically must legally subscribe to a master insurance policy for Commercial Civil Liability. This covers massive breakage or damages against the matrix company and visitors across the complex. The landlord must dispatch the respective associative manuals requiring these policies before signing to avoid on-site legal omissions regarding catastrophic corporate risks.

Manage and incorporate solid platforms that seamlessly attach these unavoidable templates based on locale. Use Landager as your primary anchor to unify copies of municipal zoning acts (POT) in audited emails attached securely to every commercial contract signing, ensuring total compliance and management speed without delays or legal processes getting lost in unnotarized desk drawers.

Back to the Commercial Leases in Colombia Overview.