A retail or commercial lease is an agreement between a landlord and a tenant in which the tenant rents the landlord’s premises for the purpose of carrying on a business. Taking on a retail or commercial lease is a significant business decision that can establish a long-term legal commitment. When you sign a lease agreement you must be sure that you are prepared to commit to fulfilling all of the obligations it includes and for the length of time it specifies.

A bad lease agreement can limit the efficiency and commerciality of your business. If you know the right sorts of considerations to bear in mind and negotiate before signing a lease you should be able to avoid unnecessary disputes.

This Legal Guide on Retail and Commercial Leases provides people who are thinking about signing a lease for a business with information about common issues and how to ask the right questions to avoid making mistakes. Before making important decisions it is advisable to obtain legal advice specific to your situation. LegalEagle’s™ free directory profiles all lawyers in Australia. You can use it to Find a Lawyer near you.

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Warning: Information provided through LegalEagle™ is for general guidance. It is not legal advice. Laws and procedures referred to may change and differ between states, territories and nationally. There may also be important exceptions or qualifications. Only a lawyer providing formal legal advice can assess your particular circumstances to determine how the law will apply.