Education & Resources 
Leasing space isn’t just about finding options – it’s about making the right decision with clarity on cost, risk, and flexibility. Before you commit, consider these 25 commercial lease questions to ask before signing.
These are the top 25 commercial lease questions we help our clients answer before they commit.
Market & Pricing
1. What else is available?
What you’re seeing is rarely the full market—timing, relationships, and off-market opportunities matter.
2. How do rates compare to the market?
Asking rent is a starting point—what deals actually get done at can be materially different.
3. What leverage do we actually have?
Leverage isn’t constant—it depends on timing, vacancy, and how credible your alternative options are.
4. What incentives is the landlord offering?
The real negotiation often happens in incentives—not face rent—and that’s what drives your effective cost.
5. What is the true cost of this space?
Rent is only part of it—operating costs, buildout, and downtime are often where the real number moves.
Space & Fit
6. How much space do we actually need?
Most tenants either overcommit or underbuild—both get expensive over time.
7. What layout will work best for our team?
The wrong layout won’t show up in your rent—but you’ll feel it every day.
8. What are we giving up with this option?
Every space solves for something and compromises something else—the trade-offs should be explicit.
9. Which option gives us the most flexibility?
The best space isn’t just right for today—it’s the one that can adapt when things change.
10. Which option is the safest long-term?
Low rent doesn’t always mean low risk—stability and exit options matter just as much.
Building & Landlord
11. Is this a good landlord to work with?
The lease is one thing—how the landlord operates after you move in is what you’ll actually live with.
12. Who are the other tenants in the building?
Tenant mix affects everything from culture to long-term stability.
13. How full is the building really?
Published availability doesn’t always reflect what’s quietly sitting vacant.
14. Are there any known issues with the property?
What doesn’t come up in a tour is often what matters most later.
15. Is the landlord likely to sell the building?
A change in ownership can shift priorities, pricing, and how your lease is managed.
Risk & Lease Terms
16. What are the biggest risks in this lease?
Most leases look standard—until something goes wrong. The risk is in the details.
17. What happens if our business changes?
Growth, contraction, or hybrid shifts—your lease needs to flex with reality.
18. Can we assign or sublease the space?
Flexibility on paper doesn’t always translate in practice—approval rights matter.
19. How easy would it be to get out early?
There’s always a path—it just depends how expensive and restrictive it is.
20. What protections do we have in the lease?
Well-negotiated clauses don’t feel important—until you need them.
Process & Execution
21. What does the leasing process look like from here?
Deals don’t fall apart at the start—they stall in the middle when the path isn’t clear.
22. How long will this take?
Timelines are rarely driven by one party—legal, construction, and approvals all impact the outcome.
23. What are the key dates we can’t miss?
Most lease issues aren’t negotiation problems—they’re missed deadlines.
24. Who is responsible for what?
Lack of clarity creates delays—and delays create leverage for the other side.
25. What happens after we sign?
The lease isn’t the finish line—how it’s managed over time impacts the real outcome.
Final Thought
Most companies don’t lose deals—they make decisions with incomplete information.
The commercial lease questions above aren’t just helpful, they’re the difference between a space that works for your business and one that doesn’t.
Thinking About Your Next Move?
Whether you’re early in your search, considering a renewal or already looking at options, we can help you:
- understand the market
- create real leverage
- evaluate trade-offs
- and structure a lease that actually works long-term
Reach out to one of our brokers if you want a second opinion or just a clearer starting point.
