Rental Policies

RENTAL POLICIES
As of 12.21.2023

TIMING OF PAYMENT

All Invoices greater than $10,000
A 25% deposit is due at the time of booking. Payment in full is due 90 days prior to the first rental date. Users who fail to pay balance upon due date will have their credit card automatically charged. All payments (deposit and balance) will be refunded in accordance with the cancellation periods listed below.

Other Lock Outs, 6pm Vacate Users and Invoices between $10,000 and $2,500
A 25% deposit is due at the time of booking. Payment in full is due 30 days prior to the first rental date. Users who fail to pay upon due date will have their credit card automatically charged. All payments (deposit and balance) will be refunded in accordance with the cancellation periods listed below.

All Other Users
All Users (other than Lock Outs, 6pm Vacate Users, and invoices greater than $2,500) must pay in full at the time of booking. Payment in full will be refunded if User cancels prior to 48 hours before the first rental day.

FORM OF PAYMENT

Payment by credit card or check only. Cash will not be accepted. User will incur a $35.00 fee plus check amount if any check is returned from the bank for insufficient funds. The $35.00 fee will be charged to User’s credit card.

CANCELLATION PERIODS

All Invoices greater than $10,000
100% refundable up until 90 days prior to rental
50% refundable 90-61 days prior to rental
No refunds, credit, or exchanges within 30 days of first rental day

Other Lock Outs, 6pm Vacate Users and Invoices between $10,000 and $2,500
100% refundable up until 30 days prior to first rental date
No refunds, credit, or exchanges within 30 days of first rental day

All Other Users
100% refundable up until 48 hours prior to rental
No refunds, credit, or exchanges within 48 hours prior to rental

All cancellations must be done via email with a received written confirmation from Sunlight Studios or via phone during business hours. Voicemail notice is insufficient.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES

User is responsible for any and all additional charges incurred by the User during its rental of the Studio(s).  Additional Charges include but are not limited to printer and copy machine usage, additional piano tuning or broken string replacement, additional cleaning fees, unreturned keys, missing or damaged equipment and any damage to the Studio(s).  Sunlight shall invoice User for all Additional Charges and payment for Additional Charges is due immediately upon User’s receipt of such invoice.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Management is not responsible for loss of personal property anywhere on the premises under any circumstances. Please do not bring things of value or leave personal belongings unattended. User is responsible for the security of all property in the studio.  Sunlight is not responsible for any personal items left in the studios or common areas. Lost and found items will be held for a maximum of two weeks before being donated or discarded.

STUDIO USAGE

  1. User activities are restricted to use of the rented Studio(s).  User and User’s personnel may not use any other Studio(s) in the building.  No portion of the lobbies, lounges and internal or public hallways shall be used or obstructed at any time by User. If User or User’s personnel are found in any other non-public Studio(s), Sunlight has the right to terminate the booking.
  2. User agrees to keep noise to a minimum and not congregate in the public hallways. 
  3. User agrees that it is leasing the Studio(s) for the purpose of rehearsal and/or classes.  Any additional use of the Studio(s), including without limitation, events, invited or public performance, catering, alcohol service, and filming will not be permitted without Sunlight’s prior written approval.  User acknowledges that any such additional use must comply with all of Sunlight’s Rental Policies, including without limitation, additional payment for such use, as Sunlight shall determine in its sole discretion.
  4. Sunlight reserves the right to access the Studio(s) during User’s breaks and at all times in the event of an emergency. Unless User has contracted with Sunlight for a lock out, Sunlight reserves the right to utilize the Studio(s) outside of hours allocated to User.
  5. Users will not be let into the Studio prior to your booking start-time so please plan accordingly. Studios must be vacated on time. Set-up, breakdown, cleanup, and pack-up are all included in the reserved time. “All day” bookings must be prepared to vacate the studio 5 minutes before 11pm close of business for the day.
  6. Rented Studio(s) (including any furniture or fixtures in the rented Studio(s) shall be delivered “as is” and returned by User in the same condition, normal wear or tear excepted. User shall not make any changes or alteration to any part of the interior or exterior of the Studio(s) or any other part of the Studios.
  7. All tape and marking on floors and walls, and any equipment brought into rented Studio(s), is to be removed by User. Trash must be placed in trash cans. Chairs and tables should be put away. Rooms should be checked for personal belongings. User will be held responsible for any damages incurred.
  8. The use of glitter, paint, incense, candles, or open flame of any kind is prohibited. Bicycles are not permitted in the Studio(s).
  9. All areas of the Studios are shared and used for multiple purposes.  User’s personnel must be considerate of other activities in the Studios. This means keeping noise to a minimum, not blocking through traffic, and keeping the area clean.
  10. With the exception of service animals, animals are not permitted in the Studios without prior written approval from Sunlight.
  11. Gaff tape may NOT be used on the wood floors of Studio A.  Should User require the ability to put down tape, notice shall be given to Sunlight at the time of contract signing.
  12. All drums must be baffled. Tap dancing and in the rehearsal studios must be approved by Sunlight in advance of the rental.
  13. The Studio must be returned to its original condition after the rental (this includes removal of spike tape, folding chairs, breaking down tables, etc).  A rental checkout sheet will be posted in the Studio. For weekly rentals or longer, User and Sunlight will conduct a walk-through of the Studio(s) in order to determine existing conditions before and after the rental.
  14. The HVAC system responds to the outside air temperature and is programmed based on when you will be in the Studio(s).  If it is either too hot or too cold, please contact the Receptionist.
  15. Schedules must be sent on a daily basis to allow for Sunlight’s access to the Studio(s) as needed, staffing, and so HVAC can be programmed appropriately.  Send schedules to info@sunlightstudios.com.

SIGNAGE

Do NOT tape or fasten any sign directly on glass, glass doors, metal doors, in the elevator, on mirrors, and especially do NOT tape signs directly on any painted wall.  User must understand the signage limitations and be prepared with appropriate materials upon arrival. Any signage posted in unauthorized places or in an unauthorized manner will be removed and User may be subject to fine(s) at the sole discretion of Sunlight.

WI-FI, PHOTOCOPYING AND PRINTING SERVICES

Wireless internet is provided as a courtesy in the studio at no additional charge.  Sunlight makes no guarantees that internet service will not be interrupted, and shall have no liability for any interruption in service.

Photocopying and printing is available upon request at the front desk.  Photocopying and printing are billed at 20-cents per page after the 10th page and invoiced to User as Additional Charges.

NO SUBLETTING

No subletting permitted.

DELIVERIES

User must request approval from Sunlight prior to any scenery, furniture, equipment, package or merchandise deliveries to the Studios.  Use of the elevators and loading into or out of the Studio(s) must be during such hours as shall be designated by Sunlight. Sunlight shall prescribe for elevator use and the method and manner in which any scenery, props, merchandise, furniture or equipment shall be brought in or taken out of the Studios and the Studio(s).

If you are expecting a delivery via UPS, FedEx or mail, please notify the Receptionist and provide an email or phone number for the Receptionist to contact you upon its arrival.  Food deliveries will be made only to the main entrance building lobby on the first floor. Please instruct food delivery personnel to call your cell phone upon arrival. Deliveries (other than food) can only be received between the hours of 10am and 6pm, Monday through Friday.  When arranging a delivery, you must provide the following information:

Sunlight Studios
321 West 44th Street, Ste. 202
New York, NY 10003
Attn: COMPANY NAME

OCCUPANCY

Users must limit occupants to the capacities specified below, unless granted an exception by management: Studio A – 40, Studio B – 25, Studio C – 4, Studio D – 50, Studio E – 20, Studio F – 20, Studio G – 74, Studio H – 6

PIANO

Use sound equipment and pianos with care. Pianos must be closed and covered when not in use. Do not remove pianos from studios. Moving pianos can be dangerous. When moving a piano within the studio, pull using handles on middle-back of instrument, or ask for assistance. Do not put food or beverages on pianos.

The pianos are tuned periodically.  However, a tuning immediately prior to and/or during a rental is available upon request with the cost to be borne by User.  Please request any tunings three (3) business days in advance. Email egreenberg@sunlightstudios.com to request a piano tuning.

EQUIPMENT & FREIGHT ELEVATOR

Any items including but not limited to carts, instruments, film/video cameras, props, costumes, set pieces, stage management kits, furniture, lighting and sound equipment must be brought in and out of the building via freight elevators. No such items will be permitted in the building passenger elevators.

Use of the freight elevator must be reserved at least 72 hours in advance and is subject to other activities occurring in the building. Sunlight makes no guarantees that freight service will not be interrupted, and shall have no liability for any interruption in service. Whether or not items may be brought upstairs via the passenger elevators is at the sole discretion of building management.

Regular freight elevator hours are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm and Saturday 8am-1pm. Users wishing to access the freight elevator during off hours must submit their request at least 72 hours prior to desired access time. Confirmation is not guaranteed.

Freight elevator door dimensions: 84”H x 30”W
Freight elevator car dimensions: 90”H x 66”D x 60”W

ROOM REASSIGNMENT

While we attempt to accommodate specific room preferences we reserve the right to switch the assigned room around within the size category that’s been reserved. This does not apply to lockouts.

STORAGE

Users may not store items such as equipment or personal property in the Studio without a lock-out agreement. Storage is available for other Users at a rate of $20 per cubic foot per month.

SAFETY & SECURITY

All users of the facility are expected to be conscious of the need for strict and enforced security at all times.

  • For long-term rentals, if necessary User will be provided with a key to the studio. The return of any keys issued to User is expected immediately upon the conclusion of the License Period. Failure to return the keys will result in charges to be deducted from User’s Security Deposit.
  • All members of User’s party are required to leave the studio(s) immediately following rehearsal.  
  • For noise prevention, security, and fire safety, propping open any door in the Studios is strictly forbidden.  All hallways must be kept clear of any obstructions.
  • For fire safety, fire exit signs must be illuminated at all times and not blocked.
  • For fire safety, nothing can be hung on any sprinkler, pipe or fire suppression system.
  • For fire safety, fire extinguishers cannot be blocked and must remain in their designated location.
  • Do NOT stand on folding chairs.

NO SMOKING

No smoking anywhere in the building. Anyone caught smoking, including vape devices, will be immediately evicted without refund.

FOOD & DRINK

Food and drink are permitted; however, a $50 cleaning fee will be charged to any User where food, drink or refuse is not placed in the receptacle after use.

REFUSE & RECYCLING

All trash must be recycled or properly discarded according to NYC waste management regulations.  Sunlight’s custodial staff will remove refuse from receptacles provided by Sunlight.

All paper, metal and plastic must be placed in labeled recycling bin. All other trash must be placed in labeled trash receptacle.

Cardboard boxes should be broken down and delivered to the Receptionist.

I.D.

Users and their guests must show i.d. and sign in at the lobby front desk as required by the rules of the building.

RIGHT TO TERMINATE

If User fails to observe any policy, or User fails to pay any sum required when due, Sunlight shall have the right, at its option, to terminate the booking either in its entirety or with respect to the portion of the Agreement affected, without any liability of Sunlight to User, and without any advance notice to User.  Under such circumstances and without limiting any other available remedies, Sunlight is authorized to retain the amounts previously paid by User as liquidated damages in compensation for its damages and loss of revenue resulting from the termination and not as penalty.

FORCE MAJEURE

If the Studios are destroyed, damaged, or otherwise unfit for occupancy, or any User activity shall be prevented or interfered with by the public authorities or by any strike, labor dispute, the building’s Landlord, or other cause beyond the control of Sunlight, Sunlight shall have the right, at its option, to terminate this Agreement either in its entirety or with respect to the portion of the Agreement affected, without any liability of Sunlight to User, and without any advance notice to User.

INDEMNITY

User exercises rights granted at User’s own risk and indemnifies and holds harmless Sunlight Studios from and against any and all liability for damages, costs, illnesses losses and expenses resulting from, arising out of, or in any way connected with the occupation or use of the rented Studio(s) by User, or User’s User’s, invitees or guests, or the failure on the part of User to perform User’s obligations. Rights granted to User may not be assigned without Sunlight Studio’s prior consent.