Commercial Leasing Lawyer
Commercial leasing is rarely straightforward – and the terms you agree to at the start can affect your business for years.
At Connected Legal + Commercial, we advise both landlords and tenants on lease negotiation, drafting and disputes – so you can move forward with confidence and without costly surprises. Landlords can also sign up for our Lessons for Lessors program to get practical, ongoing leasing guidance.
More Than a Lease
A commercial lease is one of the most significant legal commitments your business will make. Whether you're taking on new premises, renewing an existing lease or managing a dispute, the right advice at the right time protects your position.
We work with landlords and tenants across commercial and retail leasing on:
Lease negotiation – securing favourable terms before you sign
Lease drafting and review – clear, comprehensive agreements that reflect the deal
Rent reviews – understanding your rights and obligations when rent is being reassessed
Lease renewals and options – exercising your rights and negotiating on renewal
Assignment and subletting – managing lease transfers and approvals correctly
Lease disputes – resolving disagreements between landlords and tenants efficiently
The CL+C Commercial Leasing Experience
Leasing matters are often time-sensitive – a lease is expiring, a dispute is escalating, or a business opportunity depends on getting into new premises quickly.
We work efficiently and clearly, helping you understand your position and your options before you commit to anything. Whether you're a landlord protecting your asset or a tenant securing your business premises, we'll tell you exactly where you stand.
No jargon. No unnecessary process. Just clear advice you can act on.
Is This the Right Time?
Commercial leasing advice isn't only for businesses in dispute. It's the right conversation when:
You're about to sign a lease and haven't had it reviewed
Your landlord is proposing terms that don't seem right
A rent review is coming up and you want to understand your position
You're looking to assign or sublet your lease
Your lease is expiring and you want to negotiate the renewal
A dispute with your landlord or tenant is escalating
Yes. The right time is now.
Commercial Leasing FAQs
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What's the difference between a commercial lease and a retail lease?
In NSW, retail leases are governed by the Retail Leases Act 1994, which gives tenants a specific set of protections — including mandatory disclosure requirements from the landlord before signing, minimum lease terms, and restrictions on certain outgoings being passed to tenants.
Retail leases typically cover shops, showrooms, and food premises in shopping centres or strip retail.
Commercial leases — covering offices, warehouses, and industrial premises — are not covered by the Act. That means the terms are largely negotiated between the parties, which gives tenants more flexibility but also more exposure if they sign without advice. Knowing which type of lease you're dealing with determines your rights and what protections you can rely on.
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Almost every lease is negotiable — even when a landlord presents it as standard. Rent-free periods, fit-out contributions, break clauses, rent review mechanisms, and outgoings obligations are all commonly negotiated. The landlord's first draft is written to protect the landlord. We review it from your perspective and advise on what to push back on, what to accept, and what the real risks are if you sign as-is.
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You're not legally required to, but a commercial lease is typically a 3–5 year commitment with significant financial obligations — and in many cases, a personal guarantee on top. The terms you agree to on day one govern what happens if rent increases, if you need to exit early, if the landlord sells the property, and what you're liable for at the end of the term. A lease review identifies the risks before they become your problem, and it costs a fraction of what a dispute costs later.
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Get advice early — before the dispute hardens into a formal claim. Most leasing disputes involve a genuine disagreement about what the lease says, and early legal advice clarifies your position quickly. For retail leases in NSW, disputes can go to the NSW Small Business Commission for mediation before escalating to NCAT. For commercial leases, the process is different and the stakes are often higher. We advise both landlords and tenants on dispute strategy, and in most cases a well-drafted letter of demand or a mediated resolution is far more cost-effective than litigation.
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Many commercial landlords require a director or business owner to sign a personal guarantee, meaning if the business can't meet its lease obligations, you're personally liable for the shortfall. For business owners who operate through a company specifically to limit personal exposure, this can come as a surprise. Whether you can negotiate the guarantee out, cap it, or limit its duration depends on your bargaining position and the landlord's appetite — but you need to understand exactly what you're agreeing to before you sign. We review personal guarantees as part of every lease review.