LeaseAI · Pre-Signing Commercial Lease Checklist

30 items · Estimated total: 26 hr 45 min · tryleaseai.com

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Pre-Signing Commercial Lease Checklist

30 items across 4 categories — every critical review point before you sign a commercial lease. Your progress saves automatically.

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Financials

Rent structure, escalations, and all cost obligations

Confirm base rent and rent commencement datehigh

~30 min

Understand all rent escalation clauseshigh

~45 min

Calculate your total CAM / operating expense exposurehigh

~2 hrs with accountant

Review CAM audit rights and reconciliation schedulehigh

~1 hr with attorney

Confirm security deposit amount and return conditionsmedium

~30 min

Understand tenant improvement (TI) allowance termshigh

~2 hrs with attorney

Verify gross lease vs. NNN / modified gross structurehigh

~1 hr with broker

Confirm responsibility for utilitiesmedium

~30 min

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Legal

Obligations, guarantees, and liability exposure

Review personal guarantee scope and burn-down termshigh

~2 hrs with attorney

Understand permitted use clause limitationshigh

~45 min

Confirm exclusivity clause (if applicable)high

~1 hr with attorney

Review SNDA agreement and estoppel requirementsmedium

~1 hr with attorney

Understand holdover clause and penaltieshigh

~30 min

Review default and cure period provisionsmedium

~1 hr with attorney

Check co-tenancy rights (retail/strip center tenants)medium

~45 min

Verify landlord consent standard for alterationsmedium

~30 min

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Operations

Day-to-day use, buildout, and landlord obligations

Confirm exact rentable square footage and loss factorhigh

~1 hr with architect

Review HVAC hours and after-hours costmedium

~30 min

Confirm parking ratio and costmedium

~30 min

Verify signage rights inside and outside the buildingmedium

~30 min

Understand tenant's maintenance and repair obligationshigh

~1.5 hrs with attorney

Review ADA compliance responsibilitymedium

~45 min

Confirm lease commencement date and delivery conditionshigh

~1 hr with contractor

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Exit

Flexibility, termination, and end-of-lease rights

Confirm renewal option terms (if applicable)high

~1 hr with attorney

Verify renewal option notice deadlinehigh

~15 min

Review early termination option termshigh

~1.5 hrs with attorney

Understand sublease and assignment rightsmedium

~45 min

Review restoration and surrender obligationsmedium

~45 min with contractor

Confirm right of first offer / first refusal on expansionlow

~30 min

Review casualty and condemnation termination rightsmedium

~30 min

📄

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Generated by LeaseAI · tryleaseai.com · This checklist is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.