All commercial space and building owners in the territory engaging in commercial renting must be in possession of a valid business license, according to a pess release issued Monday from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA).

Persons who fall within one or more of the following categories are required by law to obtain the applicable license type for their property:

· A building owner renting an entire non-residential building or facility.

· An owner of a commercial building renting single or multiple units, bays, rooms, or spaces.

Rental of a commercial space or building constitutes engaging in an act of business. Building owners who have not met the legal requirements of obtaining a current business license from DLCA are in violation of the licensing laws of the Virgin Islands. Any commercial building/space owner found renting without the appropriate license will be subject to citations and applicablepenalties.

For additional information, contact the Licensing Division of the DLCA on St. Croix at 773-2226 or St. Thomas at 774-3130.