Crown Castle International I GOT RIPPEDOFF ON A CELL TOWER LEASE Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania

In 2001 a represenative of Crown contacted me cancerning a possible cell tower site on some land that I own.  The site (approx. 5 acres on top of a hill) was initally offered as a complete sale and plans were made for this.  Then just before the transfer was to be made, I got a call from another agent of the company asking if I would consider leasing to them.  THEY NEEDED TO KNOW QUICKLY!!! was the message.

I agreed to the lease not knowing the going rqate for cell tower leases.  Further, the rush was on by them, to complete the transaction quickly which did not give me or my lawyer time to research that which would be a fair rate.  As you can guess, the rate was less than half the going rate.  I have contacted them about simply reviewing my lease but the only reply I get is a curt reply from their silly lawyer saying they have a BINDING contract.  In reading the contract I suppose they do, but I think they slipped and forgot to remove a clause which makes them responsible for any increase in property taxes due to the tower being on my land.  The only good part of the lease.

The lease rate (rental to me) was for $325 per month with 15% increase every 5 years with renewal option up to 100 years. CHEAP!!!  The tower now has 4 users paying them thousands of dollars each for tower rental which I get no part of as other landowners presently do.  Present rates are 3 to 5 times my rate for similar sites.

I know the lease is binding but I just wanted others to know about Crown Castle International and cell tower companies in generas an don't get screwed like I did.