Rent, reviews and increases
The starting rent, review dates and methods, market reviews, fixed increases and any limits or ratchets.
For business tenants · Brisbane and South East Queensland
Signing a commercial lease? Have it reviewed before you commit.
A senior lawyer reviews the terms, explains what they mean for your business and identifies points to consider before you sign.
Fixed fee quoted upfront Brisbane CBD office
See what we review Start with the documents you have
Talk to a senior lawyer
Before you put pen to paper
What we check before you sign.
A lease is more than the rent. We look at the obligations that shape your costs, flexibility and exit from the premises.
Advice is tailored to the lease, your business and whether Queensland or NSW law applies.
Outgoings and total occupancy cost
What you must pay beyond rent, how outgoings are calculated, and whether the lease explains the full cost of occupying the premises.
Term, options and key dates
The lease term, option periods, notice windows and the dates you need to diarise to preserve your rights.
Permitted use
Whether the permitted use fits your business now and allows for reasonable changes as your business develops.
Fit-out and make-good
Approval requirements, who pays for works, ownership of fixtures and what you may need to remove or reinstate when the lease ends.
Assignment and subletting
The consent process and conditions if you later sell your business, transfer the lease or sublet all or part of the premises.
Guarantees and security
Personal or bank guarantees, security deposits and the circumstances in which they may be called on or returned.
Disclosure and retail lease rules
Disclosure obligations and whether the Queensland Retail Shop Leases Act or NSW Retail Leases Act applies to the premises and lease.
A clear process
How it works.
Send the heads or draft lease
Send through the heads of agreement, draft lease and any disclosure material you have. We will confirm what else is needed to understand the proposed deal.
Receive a fixed-fee quote
We confirm the scope and quote a fixed fee before any work starts. You can decide whether you would like us to proceed.
A senior lawyer reviews it
A senior lawyer reads the documents in the context of your business, premises and the commitments you are being asked to make.
Understand your position
We explain the important terms and practical risks. If requested, we can also negotiate proposed changes with the landlord, agent or their lawyer.
You decide whether to proceed after receiving the quote. Work does not start until you agree.
Common situations
The lease is part of a bigger decision.
We advise tenants at different points in the life of a business premises.
Taking a new lease
You have agreed commercial terms or received a draft for a new shop, office, warehouse or other business premises.
Renewing or exercising an option
An option date is approaching, or you want to understand the terms that apply if you stay on.
Buying a business with a lease
The business sale depends on transferring the existing lease and obtaining the landlord's consent.
Changing premises or lease terms
You are negotiating a variation, relocating within a centre or agreeing to a change in the premises or permitted use.
A dispute or default notice
You have received a breach, rent arrears or other default notice, or there is a disagreement about what the lease requires.
Practical answers
Before you send it through.
When should I ask for a lease review?
As early as you can, ideally before signing or committing to the lease. An early review gives you time to understand the terms and decide whether to ask for changes. If you have already signed, we can still explain your obligations and options.
What should I send with my enquiry?
If available, send the heads of agreement, draft lease and disclosure statement. The enquiry form accepts one PDF or Word document up to 5 MB. You can also outline the premises, your business and any dates that matter.
Does the Retail Leases Act apply to every retail premises?
No. The relevant Act and protections depend on the location, premises, use and other statutory requirements. We check whether the Queensland or NSW legislation applies to the proposed lease.
Can you negotiate changes with the landlord?
Yes, if you ask us to. We can explain suggested changes and communicate them to the landlord, agent or their lawyer. The landlord decides whether to agree, and the final terms depend on negotiation.
Commercial lease advice for tenants
Have a lease to consider?
Tell us where you are in the process. A senior lawyer will discuss the next step and provide a fixed-fee quote before work begins.
Brisbane office
Level 17, 144 Edward Street, QLD 4000
(07) 3103 9882Sydney office
Level 22, 25 Bligh Street, NSW 2000
(02) 9125 0682NSW matters are supported by our Sydney office.
Send an enquiry
A short outline is enough to start the conversation.
Brisbane and South East Queensland first; NSW enquiries from Sydney.