Commercial Lease Agreement Templates (5)

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A commercial lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant who rents space for a business-related use. During the lease period, the tenant is obligated to pay rent on a monthly basis and maintain the premises. Depending on the type of lease, the tenant may also be required to pay real estate taxes, property insurance, and common-area maintenance (CAMs).

Commercial Lease Agreement Templates (5)

Last updated September 10th, 2025

A commercial lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant who rents space for a business-related use. During the lease period, the tenant is obligated to pay rent on a monthly basis and maintain the premises. Depending on the type of lease, the tenant may also be required to pay real estate taxes, property insurance, and common-area maintenance (CAMs).

Document Features

  • Rental Period – Defines the duration of the commercial lease, whether set for a fixed-term or on a monthly basis.
  • Property Use – Limits use of the property to specific business and commercial activities to avoid issues and damages.
  • Rent and Increases – Establishes the monthly rent payment owed by the tenant and allows for specific rent increases within the initial rental term.
  • Additional Rent – Allows the landlord to demand a percentage of business income (gross, net, or otherwise) in addition to rent payments.
  • Property Expenses – Lists the expenses the tenant is responsible for, such as real estate taxes, property insurance, and CAMs.
  • Condition of Premises – Specifies the condition in which the property will be delivered to the tenant, whether “as-is,” “vanilla box,” or a custom fit-out.
Commercial Lease Application – Used by a landlord when screening an applicant for a rental space. A lease application is highly recommended before renting property to any individual or business entity.

By State

By Type (5)

Gross Lease – The tenant must pay the monthly rent only and is not obligated to pay property expenses.

 

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Modified Gross Lease – The tenant must pay the monthly rent with obligations to pay some property expenses.

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Triple-Net (NNN) Lease – The tenant must pay the monthly rent and is obligated to pay all of their portion of the property expenses.

 

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Office – For any office-related use. Commonly used by professionals such as accountants, lawyers, or IT workers.

 

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Venue (Event) – To rent a venue space for weddings, holiday parties, corporate gatherings, or other events.

 

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How to Lease Commercial Property

1. Listing for Lease

A landlord has 2 options when placing their property for lease:

  1.  Hiring a Broker – A broker will show what the property is worth to the landlord, list for lease, and handle initial negotiations with a willing tenant. For this service, the broker will charge a commission based on a percentage of the initial term (typically 3% to 8%).
  2. For Lease by Owner – If the landlord prefers to lease themselves, it is recommended to upload photos and enter the property details into online marketplaces such as LoopNet and Crexi.

2. Handle Inquiries

Immediately after listing the property, the landlord will most likely be busy providing information to prospective tenants. If a potential tenant shows interest, they may request a property showing.

3. Screening the Tenant

Tenant Screening Services:

4. Negotiating the Rent

The rent is commonly priced per square foot ($/sf). The best way to determine the “market rent” is to know what other tenants are paying in the area.

  • Property Expenses ($) – It is common for the tenant to pay for a portion (or all) of the common area maintenance expenses, including real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
  • Landlord’s Improvements – The landlord’s responsibilities regarding setting up the space to suit the tenant’s specific needs.

5. Agree to Terms

When the terms are agreed between the parties, a commercial letter of intent is commonly written which is a non-binding contract that outlines the main terms of an agreement.


Commercial Lease Letter of Intent

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6. Writing a Commercial Lease

A landlord, broker, or attorney (recommended) can write a commercial lease. It should include the responsibilities, obligations, and liabilities of both the landlord and tenant while adhering to federal, state, and local laws.

Commercial Lease Agreement (Preview)