Hello Legal Experts,
At the outset, I thank you for your efforts in helping public who are unaware of legal matters.
My dad is being running a grocery shop for the last 28 years on rental basis till now from the owner in a residential house (ground floor - single room). Only one small understanding was signed between both of them in a white sheet 28 years before and went on till now based on mutual trust & friendship. 7 years before another room, which is adjusant was also taken on rent on a seperate rental agreement made by my brother in law on his name (as he is managing the grocery shop) with 3 months notice to vaccate. Last month, he requested us to vaccate that recently taken new room mentioning that he wants to setup a juice shop for his son. We have surrendered it and he has established a grocery shop for competition. As the business is not doing well for his son, he is forcing us with muscle power to vaccate immediately so as to kill competition and snub us. Despite we have requested for 12 months time to vacate so as to square of the transactions with clients in that locality, he is threatening us showing the agreement with notice period signed by my brother in law. BTW - He used to collect the rent only by cash and dosen't give receipt. Even for searching a new shop and establishing will consume considerable time and so do generating new customer base. Leaving a customer base maintained for last 28 years is a financial loss, which he is trying to cash cow. This small shop is the only income generating business.
Till to date, we have paid the rents on time and enhanced rental deposits as and when the owner hiked or escalated it and had no disputes in the last 28 years. All our amicable efforts and talks have gone in vain.
Some customers told that we have more right in that place as we have conducted business for more than 28 years.We are not keen on that propert except to continue the business. Is there any legal way to protect us? What do you suggest?
Thanks,
Raj
