Landlords Warned of DOGE's Effort to Mass Terminate Federal Leases

GSA Leasing & Federal Real Estate attorneys Gordon Griffin and Robert MacKichan Jr. and Government Contracts attorney Jeremy Burkhart were cited in a Washington Business Journal article discussing the federal government's efforts to reduce its leased portfolio. The article quoted from an alert the attorneys published explaining that the government generally cannot terminate leases during their first term but can do so after with proper notice. They also highlighted the legal avenues lessors might need to explore if Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) or U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) attempts early lease terminations, such as subleasing or buyouts, to protect their interests.

"If the parties cannot agree to a buyout price and the government abandons a leased property and ceases paying rent, the government effectively forces the lessor to file a claim under the Contract Disputes Act in order to protect its rights," the attorneys said in the alert.

READ: Landlords Warned of DOGE's Effort to Mass Terminate Federal Leases (Subscription required)