Small business owners in San Jose can get help with landlord/tenant issues through a new initiative supported by the Office of Economic Development & Cultural Affairs.

The program consists of two elements:A toll-free hotline where callers can get one-on-one assistance with an expert, and an interactive online workshop series that explores basic concepts in commercial real estate. It’s all offered in three languages: English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The City’s partner is Start Small Think Big Inc., a nonprofit that provides small business assistance including financial planning, legal assistance, marketing and more.

Commercial real estate has emerged as a key issue for small business owners coming out of the pandemic. Business owners may owe back rent, or may be experiencing unpredictable cash flow thanks to volatile consumer demand, combined with tight vacancy and rising costs. Yet many small businesses don’t have any formal training in negotiating or understanding their rights and

responsibilities under a lease.