Sign with confidence.
Not crossed fingers.
A commercial lease is a big commitment for your business. Before you sign anything, let us read it with you. We'll explain what it actually means and flag anything that could come back to bite you.
Sound familiar?
We've heard it before.
"I've got a lease to sign and it's doing my head in."
Totally understandable. They're not written for normal people. Send it to us and we'll go through it with you in plain English.
"I'm stressed about what I'll owe when the lease finishes."
Good that you're thinking about it now. Early is the best time to sort this out. We'll tell you exactly what you're up for and how to manage it.
"My rent's gone up and it doesn't feel fair."
You might have more say in this than you think. We'll check how it was worked out and tell you honestly whether there's a case to push back.
"I'm selling the business and the lease is stressing me out."
It's a common sticking point, but a solvable one. We'll handle the whole thing so your sale can keep moving without the lease getting in the way.
"I got a letter from my landlord and I don't know what to do."
Don't sit on it. Let us have a look first. More often than not it's manageable, but you need to know what it means and respond the right way.
"I want to stay on but the new terms don't feel right."
A renewal is your chance to get a better deal for the next stage of your business. We'll help you go into those conversations knowing exactly where you stand.
From day one
to moving out.
Reading the lease with you
We'll go through the whole thing, explain what it means for your business and make sure you know exactly what you're signing up for.
Negotiating a better deal
We'll do the negotiating for you: rent, rent-free time, make-good, the personal guarantee and anything else worth pushing on.
Rent reviews
We'll check that the review was done correctly. If the numbers don't stack up, we'll push back.
When you're selling the business
We'll handle the lease side of the sale: the landlord's approval, the paperwork, all of it, so it doesn't derail your deal.
Make-good at the end
We'll tell you early what you actually have to do when you leave, and stand up for you if your landlord asks for more than they're entitled to.
When you get a notice
We'll read it, explain what it means and respond in a way that protects your right to stay.
Renewals and staying on
We'll make sure you exercise your option at the right time and lock in terms that give your business a good run for the next period.
When things get really messy
If it needs to go to tribunal, we'll go with you: to NCAT, VCAT, QCAT, SAT or SACAT, wherever your premises are.
Retail tenants: know your rights
If you're in a retail space, the law gives you more protections than most tenants realise. We'll make sure you're getting every one of them.
Five things worth
knowing before you sign.
A few clauses worth
understanding properly.
Make good clauses
What you actually have to do when you move out, and how to cap the cost before you sign.
Read the guidePersonal guarantees
What you're actually putting on the line when a landlord asks a director to guarantee the lease personally.
Read the guideOptions to renew
How to exercise an option the right way, on time, and on terms that still work for you.
Read the guideBank guarantee vs bond
What each form of security actually commits you to, and which suits your cash position.
Read the guideBreaking a lease early
The real ways to exit before the term ends, and what each one actually costs.
Read the guideDeeds of variation
Rent changes, extra time, a new use. How to get lease changes recorded so they actually stick.
Read the guideRetail lease review in NSW
What to check before you sign a NSW retail lease, when there's no cooling-off to fall back on.
Read the guideTell us what's
going on.
You don't need the right words or even know whether there's a legal problem yet. If something about your lease is on your mind, just reach out. We're genuinely glad when people do.
We get back to most people the same day.
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Just so you know: sending us a message or having a chat doesn't mean we're officially your lawyers yet. That happens once we've agreed in writing to work together. Everything you share with us at this stage is kept completely confidential. The information on this website is general in nature. It's a good starting point, but it's not the same as advice for your specific situation. The Leasing Lawyer is a trading name of DOCET LEGAL.