Organize the clauses and economic terms that affect cost, flexibility and exit risk.
Letter of intent and heads of terms
Use the preliminary deal document to expose assumptions before legal drafting begins.
Commercial lease negotiation
Prioritize the terms that drive long-term cost, operational flexibility and exit risk.
Rent escalation clauses
Model fixed steps, percentage increases and index-linked rent so the full lease term can be compared.
Free rent and rent abatement
Evaluate the real value of an abatement after considering operating costs, fit-out timing and delayed opening.
Lease term and renewal options
Balance commitment, amortization of improvements, renewal control and future business uncertainty.
Assignment and subletting
Protect the ability to sell, restructure, downsize or share space without assuming consent will be automatic.
Personal guarantees
Understand the financial exposure of a guarantee and negotiate scope, duration, caps and release conditions.
Permitted-use clauses
Draft the use broadly enough for current operations, reasonable growth and related services while respecting property constraints.
Exclusivity and co-tenancy clauses
For retail and service locations, assess protections relating to competitors, anchors and occupancy levels.
Signage rights
Confirm location, size, illumination, permits, maintenance and removal responsibilities for signs.
Parking and loading rights
Document employee, customer, accessible, delivery and loading needs rather than relying on informal availability.
Access hours and HVAC service
Align building access, security and conditioned-air schedules with actual operating hours.
Expansion and contraction rights
Evaluate options to grow, shrink or relocate within a property as business needs change.
Relocation and demolition clauses
Understand landlord rights to move the tenant or end the lease for redevelopment.
Casualty, condemnation and force majeure
Plan how rent, repair, access and termination work after major damage, government taking or prolonged disruption.