PULLED OF AN OCEAN'S ELEVEN

Once upon a time, an expatriate was assigned to the Philippines to help launch a promising new venture. As part of his compensation package, the company rented a condominium unit on his behalf. The lease was signed by the company, and everything seemed straightforward.

For the first year, all was quiet.

Then, in the second year of the lease, things took an unusual turn. Without warning, company representatives contacted the condominium administration and instructed them not to allow the expat to leave the premises. When asked why, the company vaguely explained that the employee had caused significant issues—absenteeism, incomplete projects, and overall dereliction of duty.

A few days later, the company followed up, asking whether the expat was still residing in the unit. The admin confirmed that he was—and even mentioned that the tenant had a furniture delivery just the week prior.

But when the company later tried to reach the expat and got no response, they decided to visit the unit themselves.

To their shock, the condo was completely empty.

How did the expat manage to move out—furniture and all—without anyone noticing?

As it turned out, he had informed the admin that “new furniture” would be delivered. So, when a logistics company came to remove items, the staff assumed it was a standard replacement pull-out. It wasn’t until the company raised the alarm that the admin reviewed the CCTV footage and realized no new furniture ever arrived—only the old furniture left, quietly and efficiently.

The company eventually pre-terminated the lease, and the matter was dropped.

But here’s the bigger question:

If the expat had still been in the unit, could the building admin legally prevent him from leaving or removing his belongings?

In lease agreements where the company is the lessee and the employee is merely the occupant, who should have the authority to approve pull-outs—the company or the tenant?

It’s a gray area that many overlook, but one worth addressing when drafting lease contracts involving corporate tenants.

Because sometimes, it’s not just about who signed the lease—it’s about who holds the keys.