what kind of lawyer do i need to negotiate a signed lease agreement

by Kyler Daugherty 6 min read

For most businesses a commercial lease is about an immediate need. But, the benefits of having a real estate attorney help you negotiate the lease not only include helping you get a better deal right now, but also include future benefits.

Full Answer

Do I need to hire a lawyer to sign a lease?

Although you do not necessarily need to hire a lawyer to sign a residential lease, it certainly does not hurt to consult one. In some instances, it may be beneficial to work with a lawyer dealing with apartment leases.

Can I negotiate my lease?

For instance, if you have a double net lease, you’ll pay rent, property taxes and insurance. Modified gross/modified net lease: You can also negotiate either a modified gross or a modified net lease.

How can an attorney help me with a rental agreement?

Also, if any disputes arise over a rental agreement, your attorney can help you recover damages in a court of law. Ken joined LegalMatch in January 2002.

How to write a good lease agreement?

Be Sure That All Negotiations Are In Writing and Agreed Upon If anything is handwritten into the lease agreement, then be sure that all parties initial (or sign) and that it is consistent on all copies of the lease agreement. Keep a good attitude in check and do not give an aura of an ungrateful or arrogant attitude.

How do you negotiate a lease company?

5 Tips for Negotiating a Commercial LeaseEvaluate the Length of the Lease. ... Research Comparable Rents. ... Look for Hidden Costs. ... Ask for Favorable Clauses. ... Check the Termination Clause Closely.

Can you negotiate the terms of a lease?

Before signing a lease, remember that much of it may be negotiable (depending on the landlord's situation and your own leverage, of course). The more ideal tenant you are, the easier it will be to negotiate rent and other important aspects of the lease.

How do I negotiate an early lease termination?

Here are 8 tips to keep in mind before approaching your landlord:Think Like a Landlord. To negotiate with a landlord, understand how they think. ... Read Your Lease. ... Get Help. ... Add Time. ... Sweeten the Pot. ... Buyout Your Lease. ... Consider Subleasing or Assignment. ... Wait for a Little While.

What is an attorney called?

In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably. For this reason, people in and out of the legal field often ask, “is an attorney and a lawyer the same thing?”. In colloquial speech, the specific requirements necessary to be considered a lawyer vs attorney aren't always considered.

What issues are involved in negotiating leases?

competition or demand for the premises. the landlord's financial situation. your desirability as a tenant; this may include your potential to meet your obligations, or to attract clients or other tenants to the location or the landlord's future intentions for the premises.

How do you counter a lease proposal?

How to Do a Counter Offer for Leasing a BuildingHave a Lawyer Review the Lease. ... Use Commercial Lease Negotiation Tactics. ... Measure the Space. ... Ask For a Shorter Lease Term. ... Resist an Automatic Rent Review. ... Ask for a Non-Compete Clause. ... Ensure You Can Sublet the Space. ... Avoid a Personal Guarantee.

What happens if you break a lease?

As a result, breaking a lease usually comes with a fine. Sometimes the fine is equal to one or two month's rent. Other times, you're faced with the financial burden of having to cover the rent for the remainder of your lease term, regardless of whether you're actually living in your apartment or not.

Can you renegotiate a car lease after signing?

Your leasing bank ultimately determines if you can renegotiate your lease; some banks may choose not to renegotiate lease terms if you've already signed your contract. If you haven't signed the paperwork for your lease yet, you can change the terms of the lease to better suit your needs.

What happens to a lease when a company is dissolved?

What happens to the lease? The Companies Act 2006 (section 1012) states that when a tenant company is dissolved or struck off its interests, including any interest in leasehold property, falls to the Crown as they become bona vacantia, or ownerless property.

What's the difference between an attorney and a lawyer?

For example in the US, an attorney is a general term for a lawyer that has passed a bar examination and can practice law in a particular jurisdiction. Attorneys act as lawyers but not all lawyers can perform the work of attorneys.

What is the difference between lawyer attorney and advocate?

An advocate is a specialist attorney who represents clients in a court of law. Unlike an attorney an advocate does not deal directly with the client – the attorney will refer the client to an advocate when the situation requires it. Advocates can also appear in the higher courts on behalf of a client.

What's the difference between lawyer and advocate?

A lawyer is a general term used to describe a legal professional who has attended law school and obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree. An advocate is a specialist in law and can represent clients in court.

What is a duty not to breach a lease?

A duty not to breach the lease; A duty to keep all units in habitable condition; A duty to respect the privacy of a tenant (with limited exceptions); A duty to return the security deposit within a specified period after a lease expires; and.

What are the requirements for a residential lease?

There are certain items that every residential lease must contain, such as the name of the parties, the length of the tenancy, the amount of rent that is due each month, and so forth. However, there are some important provisions that the parties should include like the following: 1 Rules about having pets; 2 Restrictions on illegal activities; 3 Whether the landlord or the tenant will be responsible for repairs and maintenance; 4 Whether a tenant needs to obtain a renters insurance policy; 5 Whether the tenant is allowed to operate a business on the property; 6 Rules concerning smoking policies and other potentially disruptive activities like noise; 7 Clear terms regarding when a landlord is permitted to enter the premises; 8 Instructions concerning what a tenant must do to sublet their apartment and whether or not the landlord even permits sublets; and/or 9 Notice requirements and if there is an option to renew the lease.

What happens if a landlord raises rent too high?

This is so that if the landlord raises the rent too high, then the tenant will still have time to look for a new apartment before their lease expires. The landlord must also approve a tenant’s request to renew their lease.

What is residential lease?

A residential lease is a specific type of legal agreement that is entered into when a tenant rents property from a landlord to use for residential purposes (i.e., living). Similar to other lease agreements, a residential lease will contain the terms and conditions of the lease, such as the date that the lease expires and how often ...

What to do if tenant has not moved out?

If the tenant has not completely moved out by the time the residential lease expires, but they have breached the lease, then the landlord may call the county sheriff’s department or other law enforcement agency in the area to remove the tenant and any of their belongings .

How long does it take to renew a lease?

However, the tenant will usually know one to three months in advance of the lease’s end date if they will have to move or not.

Why do commercial leases run longer than residential leases?

The reason that commercial leases run so much longer than residential leases is so that a business does not have to keep interrupting its daily operations to move to a new commercial property every year.

Should I hire an attorney to draft a lease agreement?

You should hire an attorney to draft a lease agreement for you. The ones you find online or in stores usually don't have the strongest language with the right kind of clauses to protect the landlord. The language can be very plain and still have the effect needed.

Do you have to have a lease written in legalese?

Some jurisdictions require rental licenses; other zoning ordinances prohibit renting in certain properties.#N#Secondly, while a lease doesn't have to be written in "legalese" there are...

What can a landlord tenant lawyer do?

A landlord tenant lawyer can be of great assistance and can help you to draft and review a rental agreement that suits your business needs. Also, if any disputes arise over a rental agreement, your attorney can help you recover damages in a court of law. Post Your Case - Get Answers from Multiple Real Estate Lawyers.

Who provides rental agreements?

Rental agreements are usually provided by the landlord or the property owner. They can be customized to suit the individual needs renters. Some property owners such as apartment associations provide a standardized rental agreement form.

What are the terms of a rental agreement?

The terms of rental payments are the focus of rental agreements, but the agreement can address other matters as well. Most rental agreements will address the following matters: 1 Duration of rental term (i.e., whether for one month, month-to-month, or year-to-year, etc.) 2 Names and background information of occupants 3 Price of monthly rent payments 4 Terms of utilities costs 5 Instructions regarding liability for property damage 6 Provisions regarding deposits (such as landlord deposits, security deposits, etc.) 7 Any other special instructions

How much notice do you need to give a landlord to terminate a rental agreement?

If a rental agreement is subject to automatic renewal, the tenant needs to give the landlord 30 days advance notice if they wish to terminate the agreement. The laws governing rental agreements can vary widely by state or region.

How long does a rental agreement last?

Written rental agreements can be temporary, usually lasting for a period of 30 days. Some “month-to-month” rental agreements are subject to automatic renewal at the end of the 30 day period.

What happens if you breach a rental agreement?

If your tenant has breached any of the terms of a rental agreement, you may be entitled to recover losses in a court of law. The most common disputes with rental agreements are, of course, disputes over late or missing rent payments.

What is a violation of sub lease terms?

Violations of sub-lease terms. Failure to pay deposits as required. As a landlord, you may wish to gather evidence that will help to prove the breach in a court of law. This may include photographs, receipts, insurance statements, repair bills, and any other important documents (including the rental agreement itself).

What Is a Commercial Lease?

A commercial lease is a legally binding contract between a lessor and a lessee to use an office, an industrial property, a warehouse, or a similar facility for business-related purposes.

Commercial Leases vs. Residential Leases

There are several notable differences between commercial and residential leases. For instance, commercial leases offer:

How to Negotiate a Commercial Lease: Top 5 Tips

While some commercial leases may be non-negotiable, most landlords allow some “wiggle room” for negotiation. Here are some tips to help you negotiate a commercial lease.

Main Terms You Can Negotiate in a Commercial Lease

Before signing a lease document, you’ll have the opportunity to negotiate with the landlord to reach an agreement that will satisfy your business needs. Here are the main terms you can negotiate in a commercial lease.

What is a lease negotiation?

Negotiations of Leases Between Residential Renters and Landlords. Renters and landlords are often at opposing ends in real estate transactions. Many landlords have a standard lease form that they use for all tenants.

When renting, leasing or purchasing property, it is vital that the agreement signed which contractually binds two parties together

When renting, leasing or purchasing property, it is vital that the agreement signed which contractually binds two parties together is understood fully. This may mean reading it and asking questions for clarification, hiring a lawyer to assist with the documentation or similar situations.

What is a co-tenant?

Co-tenancy is a situation that could provide multiple tenants in a property for residential leases or in commercial property that increases the possible number of individuals attached to a rental situation. The co-tenancy generally decreases the overall rent a person will pay alone and provide help through other legal matters with a landlord.

What is the importance of commercial leases?

When dealing in real estate commercial leases, it is vital that those that may purchase the property understand what provisions are provided in and for the contract that is signed. It is especially important to know which clauses may impact the buyer and which are allocated as beneficial to the purchaser.

What is commercial lease?

A commercial lease is often used when a business rents a space out to operate its business, whether this is a retail store, restaurant or warehouse. Commercial leases are often much more complex than a typical residential lease.

Why does a landlord have to retain security deposit?

The landlord generally has the ability to retain the security deposit for a number of reasons that may include the breaking of a lease and when the person vacates the property before the lease completes.

Do you need a legal manual to lease a home?

Unfortunately, home ownership does not come with a legal manual full of all the necessary forms to set up a lease arrangement. Read more.

What to do if you have a lease agreement?

Even if you feel like you have a good understanding of the lease agreement, you should always involve a lawyer. If possible, use a commercial lawyer who knows the ins and outs of leases. That person can help you uncover any hidden costs and avoid committing to a lease that could end up hurting your business.

Why do people prefer a gross lease?

Many people prefer a gross lease because the costs are fixed. Net lease: A net lease comes with a lower monthly rent, but you’ll also pay a certain percentage of operating expenses. For instance, if you have a double net lease, you’ll pay rent, property taxes and insurance.

What is a gross lease?

Gross lease: In a gross lease, you’ll pay the landlord one monthly fee, which will cover the rent and all operating expenses. This includes things like utilities, insurance, maintenance and property management. Many people prefer a gross lease because the costs are fixed.

What does a co-tenancy clause do?

A co-tenancy clause will lower your monthly rent if a large number of tenants suddenly leave. And if you agree to a long-term lease, you can request a clause to sublease the space if your business runs into financial problems.

What is short term lease?

A short-term lease will provide you with more flexibility, and give you the option to shift gears if your business needs change.

Is a long term lease more affordable?

In comparison, a long-term lease provides less flexibility, but the rent will be more affordable. And landlords tend to be more willing to make concessions for long-term leases. The length of the lease really depends on the type of business you run.

Can you negotiate a lease with a lower monthly payment?

If you run a business that isn’t location-specific, like an office space or warehouse, then it might make sense to negotiate a longer lease with a lower monthly payment. On the other hand, if you run a bakery or a retail store that is more location-specific, then it might make more sense to negotiate a short-term lease.

What to do if you handwrite a lease agreement?

If anything is handwritten into the lease agreement, then be sure that all parties initial (or sign) and that it is consistent on all copies of the lease agreement. Keep a good attitude in check and do not give an aura of an ungrateful or arrogant attitude.

When do you need to talk to a landlord about a lease?

You need to talk the terms through before the lease signing date is set, but not until after you have an approved application. If you start off the initial conversation with the landlord/property manager requesting lease term negotiations, you will probably rub them the wrong way. 1.

What is the first thing you should do before you start a negotiation?

Respect The Landlord’s Rules (Policies) First Before You Start With Your Negotiations. Respect goes a long way. For example, the landlord may have written into their lease agreement that they have a right to be in unit at any given time in order to make inspections, repairs, etc.

Can you reduce rent for a one year lease?

Maybe a reduction in rent is not possible for the whole one-year lease term. However, maybe the reduction will be considered for the first 4 months and then offer to pay a graduated rent amount for the remainder of the lease term.

Can you say no thank you to a landlord?

You are not forced to rent that property, so you can always say “no thank you” too and move on to another property if the lease terms are not what you want. However, arrogant and ungrateful attitudes will only result in a stronger “no” from the landlord and less tolerance for negotiations and agreements.