I started business in a busy street where my landlord owns almost 10 different business rental spaces.

So there are 9 other businesses in my block all renting from the same landlord.

I signed the lease in 2000 and everything was going fine until 5 years later and it continues to this day.

In my lease there is this line that says "tenant agrees to pay 20% of the tax increase over the fiscal year 2000"

This seemed like a non issue because I should be able to pay 20% of the real estate tax increase, but the real problem started when the landlord started billing me 20% of the real estate tax increase of his whole property that includes 9 other business rental spaces.

I was of the opinion that I should only be paying the 20% of the tax increase of the space I was occupying, but I have been forced to pay 20% of the tax increase for the whole block!

As it is a busy street in a busy city, the 20% tax increase alone came to $8000 last year and it continues to rise every year.

Has anyone faced this? Is there anyway to challenge this unfair cost that I have to bear? I do not mind paying 20% of the tax increase for the space that I am using, but not for the whole block!!!

Anyone with legal and or business experience please share your thoughts.