Varnum sells model cell tower and WiMAX leases, drafted from the property owners perspective, to assist property owners (including public entities, such as cities, counties and schools) and their attorneys.

They are generalized versions of leases which have actually been signed and negotiated in recent years.  They contain provisions which often can effectively double or triple the rent the property owner receives, and have protections against the bankruptcy of the provider.

The leases are in standard industry format but are drafted from the perspective of (and to protect) the property owner. Those from the cellular industry obviously protect the provider.

The model leases come in two versions at $275 each, $475 for both:

• One is for a new tower to be built on vacant land, Order form/memo for lease for new cell tower;
• The other is for an antenna to be placed on an existing building, water tower, or other structure. Order form/memo for lease for antenna on existing building.

How to order:  To place an order, download the order form and fax it (or scan it and email it) back to us.  A day or two after you get the model lease we will send you a bill for it [yes, ordering with a credit card number is a little easier, but this slightly clunkier method is the best we can do right now].  If you find the model lease is not to your liking, return it to us, we will tear up the bill and you owe us nothing!

Why two versions?  Because there are significant differences between putting a cellular antenna on a building (or water tower or other structure), and a putting a tower on vacant land, necessitating two forms of leases.  For example, with a building there are two parcels of land being leased (one beside the building for equipment, one on the roof for the antenna), the antenna should not limit the owners ability to repair and maintain the building, and if the building is occupied there should be periodic checks to make sure that RF emissions from the antenna do not exceed FCC limits.

Need more information?  The memo that accompanies the order form is the actual memo about how to use it that accompanies the model lease.  It provides a good summary of key provisions of the lease and useful comments and information on how to use the model lease.

What is WiMAX service?  WiMAX is high speed over the air broadband service for your computer, home or office which covers an entire city or county.  It's like Wi-Fi on steroids and increasingly is being used to bring broadband to more rural areas.  It is offered by cable, dedicated WiMAX (Clearwire), phone and other companies. It uses antennas and towers physically similar to those for cell towers.