Paragraph C of the commercial lease states that the plaintiff shall obtain written verification that the defendant can operate a used automobile sales business on the property. “A contract must be construed to effectuate the intent of the parties, which is determined from the language used interpreted in light of the situation of the parties and the circumstances connected with the transaction. . . . [T]he intent of the parties is to be ascertained by a fair and reasonable construction of the written words and . . . the language used must be accorded its common, natural, and ordinary meaning and usage where it can be sensibly applied to the subject matter of the contract. . . . Where the language of the contract is clear and unambiguous, the contract is to be given effect according to its terms.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Cadle Co. v. Ginsberg, 70 Conn. App. 748, 761, 802 A.2d 137, cert. denied, 262 Conn. 905, 810 A.2d 271 (2002); see also Legg v. Legg, 44 Conn. App. 303, 306, 688 A.2d 1354 (1997). The language of para*189graph C is clear, and it was the plaintiff landlord’s responsibility to obtain the proper approval for an automobile sales business. It also is evident from the record that the defendant took all of the necessary and reasonable steps to facilitate approval of the used automobile sales business. The plaintiff, therefore, cannot hold the defendant responsible for the plaintiffs failure to obtain approval.