how a lawyer can help with your commercial lease

by Pamela Eichmann 10 min read

5 Ways an Attorney Can Help You Navigate Commercial Lease Negotiations

  1. Level the Playing Field. It is safe to assume that the party you are negotiating with has legal representation.
  2. Understand the Terms. There are several terms that you may not be familiar with. For example, full service vs. net,...
  3. Future Financial Protection. Traditionally, most commercial...

Full Answer

Do I need a commercial real estate attorney for a lease?

A commercial lease is complicated, and there are many issues that need to be addressed. To make sure you are legally protected, you should have a commercial real estate attorney assist you with the negotiations and review of your commercial lease.

How can a landlord/tenant lawyer help with a lease?

The attorney's expertise in landlord/tenant disputes and leases can help avoid potential problems that may arise by recommending additional clauses that should be added to the lease and clarifying ambiguous language.

Is it worth it to negotiate a commercial lease with nolo?

At Nolo, we pride ourselves on giving you all the tools and information you need to take your legal matters into your own hands. There are some areas though, where having an experienced attorney really is worth the cost, and negotiating a commercial lease is one of those areas.

How long should a commercial lease be?

Commercial leases are typically 3 to 5 years in length. That will feel like an eternity if you are stuck with a lease that is seriously skewed to your landlord’s advantage whether its with arbitrary management fees or ridiculous eviction clauses. Last but certainly not leased: 3. (Good) lawyers PAY FOR THEMSELVES. No really, they do.

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Commercial Leases

A lease lawyer will have experience helping tenants and landlords with a new or existing commercial lease. They understand the practical realities both parties face and aim to achieve outcomes that satisfy them.

Other Lease-Related Matters

Lease lawyers can assist clients with other commercial lease-related matters. One such area includes sublease, which is when a tenant who has excess space wishes to rent it out to another business.

Get Advice and Assistance from Lease Lawyers

Landlords and tenants can get expert advice and assistance from lease lawyers on a wide range of lease-related matters, issues and disputes.

Using a Lawyer in Your Commercial Lease Negotiations

Your lawyer can be a powerful ally during negotiations with your prospective landlord. How you work together will depend on your budget, your style, and the complexity and length of your lease. Negotiate your lease with the help of an experienced real estate lawyer.

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Just enter in your zip code, answer a few questions and give us your contact information. We'll find lawyers near you who offer commercial real estate services. From there you can choose one that you like.

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Hiring a Lawyer for Commercial Lease Negotiations

Even the best negotiators will benefit by having an experienced lawyer aid in lease negotiations.

What is a Lease Agreement Lawyer?

A lease agreement lawyer is a type of real estate lawyer that specializes in leases. These lawyers assist in drafting, analyzing, and advising their clients about lease agreements.

What Do Lease Agreements Do?

Lease agreements are written contracts that govern the terms between a landlord and tenant. They set expectations, establish key terms surrounding the agreement, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Contract lawyers help make sure that lease agreements include all the major details designed to protect all parties to the contract.

Types of Lease Agreements

There are three main types of lease agreements: residential; commercial; and equipment. Keep reading to find out more about each one.

How Much do Lawyers for Lease Agreement Cost?

Even though lawyers for lease agreement can be a large investment, it should not be overlooked. Hiring an advocate to help you through the leasing process is one of the best ways you can protect yourself from being taken advantage of or scammed.

What Makes a Lease Agreement Legally Binding?

Lease agreements are legal contracts between landlords and tenants that govern their relationship. Contracts are considered legally binding when:

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What are the provisions of a lease?

There are certain lease provisions that are problematic and cancreate disputes between landlords and tenants. They shouldbe carefully reviewed by your attorney before you enter into a lease or renegotiate your lease. These provisions include the following: 1 Common area charges (CAM) 2 Signage 3 Use restrictions and zoning regarding the use of the space 4 Rent increases and methods used to calculate them 5 Tenant improvements. Who is responsible? 6 Options to renew 7 Insurance requirements 8 Assignments

Why do you need an attorney to check your lease?

It makes sense to have an attorney check your lease to protect your investment. The attorney understands your business goals and can make recommendations to correct any matters that may jeopardize your business interests.

Do you have to give consent to a text message from Martindale-Nolo?

You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply.

The Assumption Is That You Have Legal Representation

Commercial leases are viewed under the law differently than residential leases. With residentials, it is assumed that you don't have an attorney available to review various terms, and so the agreements are fairly standardized, and there are numerous consumer protections available under the law.

What's in a Commercial Lease?

Commercial leases contain many negotiable clauses. Knowing which ones you can negotiate away, and which ones you need tightened up, usually only comes with experience. For instance, what is the length of term of the agreement, and do you want to be able to sublease? That depends on your business needs.

Why do landlords need a lawyer?

1. The very act of hiring a lawyer shows your landlord that you’re serious and can’t be easily pushed around or deceived. Landlords will be less likely to overstep knowing you have a lawyer on hand who can and will initiate legal action at the first sign of wrongdoing. 2.

What is lease protection?

It's the wording that you have to watch out for. A lease protects the Landlord, so it's favoured in their direction naturally as they are protecting their asset in which they receive cash flow, but a Tenant also has rights they need to be looked after.

How long is a commercial lease?

Commercial leases are typically 3 to 5 years in length. That will feel like an eternity if you are stuck with a lease that is seriously skewed to your landlord’s advantage whether its with arbitrary management fees or ridiculous eviction clauses.

Is commercial lease review affordable?

Commercial lease review services are more affordable than you think, especially if you consider a legal expert from Groundworks Commercial Leasing, which has been called the “UBER” of law firms because there is no overhead or mahogany desks to pay for. You just get quality advice quickly and affordably.

Can you sign a multi-million dollar lease without a lawyer?

Anyone considering signing any kind of multi-million dollar long-term lease/agreement including entry/exit clauses without involvement of a lawyer or subject matter expert should not be holding such level of "authority to decide" ...

Do lawyers pay for themselves?

3. (Good) lawyers PAY FOR THEMSELVES. No really, they do. While having a lawyer may initially be an extra expense, he or she seriously has the ability to maximize your return on investment by saving you hundreds or even thousands over the years. Hiring a lawyer (should) cost less than one month’s rent. It’s therefore worth at least seeing if your lawyer can get you a better deal for the length of your lease.

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Commercial Leases

  • A lease lawyer will have experience helping tenants and landlords with a new or existing commercial lease. They understand the practical realities both parties face and aim to achieve outcomes that satisfy them. They’re capable of reviewing a lease, providing advice on clauses, recommending amendments, and facilitating better relationships between ...
See more on globalvisionlegal.com

Other Lease-Related Matters

  • Lease lawyers can assist clients with other commercial lease-related matters. One such area includes sublease, which is when a tenant who has excess space wishes to rent it out to another business. A lawyer can make sure the subleased area is properly defined, the terms have been carefully considered, and adequate protections have been in put in place. Another area that a lea…
See more on globalvisionlegal.com

Get Advice and Assistance from Lease Lawyers

  • Landlords and tenants can get expert advice and assistance from lease lawyers on a wide range of lease-related matters, issues and disputes. Whether you need help drawing up and agreeing on a new lease, negotiating and resolving a lease dispute, or going over your options for further terms, your lease lawyer can provide the guidance and support you need.
See more on globalvisionlegal.com