Publications > Leasing a commercial premises

 

Leasing a premises for business use

 

A hassle-free lease contains all relevant terms and conditions and clearly identifies all rights and responsibilities. Leases for business premises are usually prepared by the owner’s solicitor. So, if you intend to lease premises for a business it is important that you and your solicitor carefully check and agree on the details before you sign.

 

Initial negotiations

 

When you believe you have found the right premises for your business the letting agent will have you a letter of offer or intention, for you to sign.

 

Do not sign or pay any deposit unless the offer clearly states that it is subject to a solicitor’s approval of the lease with a full refund of the deposit if the lease doe not go ahead.

 

The Lease

 

When you have received the lease prepared by the owner’s solicitor, it should clearly set out the terms and contain the rights and responsibilities of the owner (lessor) and yourself (lessee). For your protection and to minimize litigation and disputes, have Rostron Carlyle thoroughly check the details before you sign.

 

Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld)

 

If you intend to lease a retail shop it is vital that you are fully aware of the provisions of this Act.

 

It deals specifically with the requirement of a disclosure statement from the owner to you and other issues including:

	rent review;
	turnover rent and figures;
	promotional levies

 

Terms of the lease

 

The terms of a lease are negotiable so speak to one of Rostron Carlyle’s solicitors about inspecting the lease to be sure the terms are fair.

 

Consider the following:

	the initial rent and the method of increasing the rent should reflect the offer
	your ability to transfer or assign the lease if you decide to sell, and the expense of doing so the possibility of subletting the premises
	whether local town planning laws allow your business to operate
	your rights to end the lease if the premises are damaged or destroyed
	duration of the lease and right to renew it
	who pays for:

	keeping the premises in good repair;
	rates and taxes;
	outoings and other charges; and
	all the additions, improvements, and fixtures made during the lease

	the types of insurance required and who obtains it;
	restrictions on the removal of fixtures and fittings;
	your obligation to remove partitions and reinstate the premises after expiry;
	the consequences of failing to pay rent;
	your right to end the lease before it expires;
	ways of resolving any disputes;
	whether the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld) applies to your lease and what that means
	special obligations under a shopping centre lease; and
	payment of a security deposit and the terms of a personal guarantee

 

Securing your interests

 

Apart from negotiating the best possible terms, Rostron Carlyle will:

	ensure the lease reflects the commercial terms agreed to;
	establish whether a mortgagee’s consent to the lease is needed;
	ensure there is clear title;
	advise you on the operation of the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld) (if applicable);
	advise you on your responsibilities under the body corporate rules, if the premises is strata titled;
	advise you of the effect of easements or other competing interests; and
	advise you on your obligations under the lease.

 

Approved Lease

 

When drafter, the lease is sent to the tenant’s solicitor for their approval or amendment. Once the terms are finalized, the tenant and then the landlord will sign the lease. The landlord’s solicitor will arrange for the lease to be stamped and, if necessary, registered on the State’s Land Register.

 

If the term of your lease is more than three years, it must be registered to protect your rights. Registration prevents the landlord from terminating the lease unexpectedly.

 

As an ongoing tenant

 

Be sure to:

	comply with the conditions of the lease
	give notice in time to renew the lease
	understand your rights if you stay on without renewing the lease
	obtain the landlord’s consent if you wish to change the type of business you run
	understand the landlord’s right to end the lease

 

Government fees

 

Be aware that you must pay standard State and Local Government charges. They include lease registration fees, mortgage consent fees, survey fees, and sketch plan examination fees.

 

Legal Costs

 

At your initial appointment, ask Rostron Carlyle about the costs involved in settling your lease.

 

Legal costs for preparing a retail shop lease are paid by the landlord. In all other cases they are paid by the tenant.

 

"The information contained in this article is general in nature and cannot be regarded as anything more than general comment. Readers of this article should not act on the basis of this comment without consulting one of Rostron Carlyle's legal practitioners who will consider their particular circumstances".

 

Expertise

 

Rostron Carlyle's lawyers have a wide range of experience assisting companies to negotiate commercial premises leases.

 

Not only will you find that Rostron Carlyle is likely to have assisted someone in your exact situation, but you’ll find that a Rostron Carlyle lawyer can distill a complex legal issue into a set of actionable options for you to consider.

 

A Rostron Carlyle lawyer will be a person that you can relate to.  We'’ll talk your language. Most

importantly, a relationship with a Rostron Carlyle lawyer will be "a relationship you can rely on".

 

 

 

Inquiries

 

If you would like our assistance with any aspects of a commercial lease, contact one of our specialists listed above. If you would like to make an online inquiry complete our online inquiry form for prompt professional and confidential assistance.

 

Online Inquiry form