when you hire a lawyer to write a commercial lease, who owns the lease?

by Maximilian Gleason 5 min read

Full Answer

Why hire a commercial lease lawyer?

Since commercial lease agreements can be very complex and a landlord may even include unfair provisions, it is wise to ask a commercial lease lawyer to review the details. When you hire a commercial lease lawyer, they will go through the agreement and provide comments and recommendations and point out sections that may leave you legally vulnerable.

Do I need a lawyer to write a lease?

Ask a lawyer - it's free! I agree with the other attorneys and would say that although there is no legal requirement that an attorney write a lease for you, the practical answer is YES!!!!! If you found this answer helpful, let me know by clicking the "Mark as Helpful" button at the bottom of this answer. It’s easy and appreciated.

Do I need a commercial lease agreement for my business?

If you do not own a space from which to operate your business, you may be thinking of entering a commercial lease agreement. A commercial lease agreement is one between a landlord and a business owner. This legally-binding agreement outlines the terms and conditions under which a property will be rented for business purposes.

Why should I hire a lawyer for my rental property?

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.

What is commercial lease law?

What should a lease specify?

What are the defenses against eviction?

What are the elements of a commercial lease?

What is the difference between commercial and residential leases?

Why do business tenants have less rights than residential tenants?

What factors increase the cost of a lease review?

See more

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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 commercial lease law?

Commercial lease law is a fairly complex field of law , so you may want to consult a local real estate lawyer before you sign any commercial leases.

What should a lease specify?

The lease should also specify what method the landlord uses to measure the area, what types of rooms are included on the property (e.g., bathroom, kitchen, etc.), whether a parking lot is attached, and so forth.

What are the defenses against eviction?

In the event of an eviction, a commercial tenant should also review the laws of their jurisdiction and their lease agreement to find out whether there are any defenses that they might be able to raise. Some standard defenses that commercial tenants may be able to raise against an eviction include: 1 Lack of proper notice; 2 Retaliatory eviction; 3 Landlord breach; 4 Improper eviction; and/or 5 Landlord discrimination.

What are the elements of a commercial lease?

However, because of commercial lease laws, there are some basic elements that every commercial lease agreement must contain. These include: A covenant to pay rent: A commercial lease should state how much rent is, when the rent is due, and whether the business tenant will be subject to rent increases. In the event there are rent increases, the ...

What is the difference between commercial and residential leases?

Some other differences between the two include the following: Commercial leases tend to have longer rental periods than residential leases. For example, residential leases are usually created for one-year or less, whereas commercial leases are typically entered into for several years.

Why do business tenants have less rights than residential tenants?

As mentioned, business tenants have less rights than residential tenants. This is because the law considers businesses to be savvier than general residents.

What factors increase the cost of a lease review?

Some other factors that could increase the cost to review a lease agreement include how much experience an attorney has, the jurisdiction of where the lawyer practices, and whether any legal disputes arise over the lease agreement or during the negotiation process.

What is commercial lease?

A commercial lease agreement is a legally binding contract executed between a landlord and a business owner for the purpose of renting property for the business. The designation of “commercial” means that the property will be used strictly for business purposes instead of housing or personal use. Many business owners choose to rent property rather ...

When should a commercial lease be executed?

A commercial lease should be executed anytime a business owner is going to rent a property for the purpose of running their business. Commercial leases are binding contracts and protect both the landlord and the tenant. Leases lay out important terms like rent amount, how rent will be paid, length of lease, and who is responsible ...

What is a net lease?

Net Lease: In a Net Lease agreement, the tenant is responsible for paying most, if not all taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs on top of the agreed upon monthly rent. Double Net Lease: A Double Net Lease requires the tenant to pay all taxes, insurance, and the monthly rent. Triple Net Lease: In a Triple Net Lease, the tenant pays for the taxes, ...

What should a business lease agreement state?

The business lease agreement should clearly state the agreed upon monthly rent, the due date for rent, and what utilities, taxes, and insurance the tenant is responsible for . Length of lease: Length of lease can vary depending on the needs of the business and landlord. Landlords generally prefer longer leases to ensure consistent payment ...

What is a commercial lease agreement?

A commercial lease agreement is a legally binding contract. For the agreement to be legally binding, it will need to include all the essential elements that make a contract legally enforceable. At a minimum, the lease agreement should include the property address , amount of rent , and duration of the lease with an effective start date.

What is a use clause in a lease?

Use clause: A use clause is included in a commercial lease agreement to dictate the kind of activity that the tenant can engage in on the property. This protects the property and the landlord from damages and liability.

What information should be included in a commercial lease?

It should include information like the property address, size of the space, common areas, and parking availability. Rent changes or increases: Usually commercial leases will include terms regarding annual percentage-based rent increase. This can normally be negotiated between the tenant and landlord.

Hiring a Commercial Lease Lawyer to Review Your Lease Agreement

Since commercial lease agreements can be very complex and a landlord may even include unfair provisions, it is wise to ask a commercial lease lawyer to review the details. When you hire a commercial lease lawyer, they will go through the agreement and provide comments and recommendations and point out sections that may leave you legally vulnerable.

Are You Searching For a Commercial Lease Lawyer in Calgary?

The business lawyers at Badyal Toor provide a range of legal services for businesses both large and small. Among other things, we will help to ensure that your commercial lease agreement is fair and in your best interests. So, give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our commercial lease lawyers.

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.

How does commercial lease differ from home lease?

Commercial leasing typically involves much bigger and more expensive spaces, and the leases often extend for periods much longer than a year. Commercial leases may also include clauses that address certain expenses unique to the business, such as extensive utility use, and there are often express restrictions on how property can be used.

How to enforce a lease?

In addition to these practical matters, there are certain components to a lease that must be included in order for it to be legally enforceable. A failure to pay attention to these details could result in difficulty enforcing your lease down the road. You will want to make sure your lease includes: 1 The names of all parties, including the landlord and tenant; 2 A sufficient description of the property that is being leased; 3 The length of the lease; and 4 How and when rent is to be paid, including the total amount and any anticipated scheduled increases.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 is commercial lease law?

Commercial lease law is a fairly complex field of law , so you may want to consult a local real estate lawyer before you sign any commercial leases.

What should a lease specify?

The lease should also specify what method the landlord uses to measure the area, what types of rooms are included on the property (e.g., bathroom, kitchen, etc.), whether a parking lot is attached, and so forth.

What are the defenses against eviction?

In the event of an eviction, a commercial tenant should also review the laws of their jurisdiction and their lease agreement to find out whether there are any defenses that they might be able to raise. Some standard defenses that commercial tenants may be able to raise against an eviction include: 1 Lack of proper notice; 2 Retaliatory eviction; 3 Landlord breach; 4 Improper eviction; and/or 5 Landlord discrimination.

What are the elements of a commercial lease?

However, because of commercial lease laws, there are some basic elements that every commercial lease agreement must contain. These include: A covenant to pay rent: A commercial lease should state how much rent is, when the rent is due, and whether the business tenant will be subject to rent increases. In the event there are rent increases, the ...

What is the difference between commercial and residential leases?

Some other differences between the two include the following: Commercial leases tend to have longer rental periods than residential leases. For example, residential leases are usually created for one-year or less, whereas commercial leases are typically entered into for several years.

Why do business tenants have less rights than residential tenants?

As mentioned, business tenants have less rights than residential tenants. This is because the law considers businesses to be savvier than general residents.

What factors increase the cost of a lease review?

Some other factors that could increase the cost to review a lease agreement include how much experience an attorney has, the jurisdiction of where the lawyer practices, and whether any legal disputes arise over the lease agreement or during the negotiation process.