Cell Site Landlords: Don’t Sell Your Lease Without Knowing These 3 Critical Facts!

Selling your cell tower lease might seem like a quick way to cash out, but it could have long-term consequences for your property and financial future. Before you make any decisions, here are three critical things you need to know to protect yourself and maximize your lease’s value.

1. Know Your Site’s True Value - Did you know that many landlords sell their leases for far less than what their lease is really worth? Here’s why:  

  • Market Rent Check: Is your rent at or above market value? Many landlords don’t realize their lease rates should vary based on the type of equipment, location (rural vs. urban), and tower profile. At CSA, we use state-of-the-art valuation methods—like those adopted by the state of California—to ensure you’re not underselling your lease. 

  • Tenant Errors in Your Favor: Did you know that 30–40% of leases contain errors that favor landlords? These errors often go unnoticed but can increase the value of your lease significantly. CSA reviews every lease and permit to uncover these hidden opportunities before you sell.

  • Right of First Refusal (ROFR): A ROFR clause in your lease could prevent you from selling without the tenant’s consent. One landlord learned this the hard way after agreeing to sell his property for $2 million over market value—only to lose the deal because his TowerCo exercised their ROFR clause. Now he’s facing a lawsuit for breach of contract!  

Bottom Line: Before selling, have your lease reviewed by a professional consultant like CSA to avoid costly mistakes and maximize your earnings.

2. Know You’re Selling at the Highest Value - If you’ve received an offer, don’t settle for it without comparing multiple bids. Here’s what you should do:  

  • Get at least three competing offers to ensure you’re getting top dollar.  

  • Work with a cell site lease consultant who knows the players in the industry and can negotiate better deals based on your site’s unique profile.  

With CSA’s expertise, you’ll have the confidence to know you’re selling at the highest possible value.

3. Know the Impact of What You’re Selling - Selling a cell tower lease isn’t just about transferring ownership—it’s about selling three easements that could affect your property forever:  

  • Lease Obligations: Future property owners will inherit all landlord duties without receiving rent payments. This includes allowing maintenance, construction, and even granting power of attorney for permits.  

  • Site Access: Selling your lease means granting tenants 24/7 access to the site, which could limit future development opportunities on your property. Imagine wanting to build a commercial park with underground parking—only to discover that easement access prevents excavation!  

  • Utility Access: Utility easements allow tenants to install new infrastructure (e.g., fiber lines) across your property. If not clearly defined in your agreement, this could block future redevelopment plans or decrease your property’s marketability.

How CSA Can Help You? Selling a cell tower lease is one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make as a landlord—but it doesn’t have to be risky. At CSA, we help landlords like you:  

  • Understand the true value of their site with our Cell Site Optimization (CSO) report.  

  • Identify errors & compliance issues that can increase their value before selling.  

  • Minimize the long-term impact of selling by providing clarity on easements and obligations.

For a limited time, we’re offering our 50% off our CSO Report. Call us at 213-986-7620 today and use code **CSO** before **February 28, 2025**, to claim this exclusive discount.

Clarence McDowell