Commercial Lease Properties

Contact Neufeld Legal PC for commercial leasing legal matters at 403-400-4092 / 905-616-8864 or Chris@NeufeldLegal.com

OFFICE LEASE

Office leases tend to require some of the most dynamic traits, as offices have a tendency of expanding and/or retracting over time. The reasons for changes in office configurations are generally unknown at the outset of the lease term, with only expectations being held by the negotiating parties. Heightened business success, an economic downturn, acquisitions and mergers, employee defections or outsourcing, all can play a role in the future configuration of the office. The question than becomes, ‘does the lease agreement provide adequate flexibility to effectively deal with an increased or reduced demand for office space.’ It is but one of the many questions that need to be addressed in negotiating and drafting an office lease, as the competing financial interests of landlord and tenant need to be mediated in advancing their particular interests.

RETAIL LEASE

Retail businesses have particular operational criteria that are dictated by the form of business being conducted (restaurant, retail seller, anchor/department store) and their placement (stand-alone, strip plaza, shopping mall). And with the differences amongst retailers, there is a corresponding difference amongst the lease agreements they should be negotiating and the terms that should be sought. Because of these differences, it is important that you have the right lawyer negotiating the terms and conditions of your retail lease, otherwise important commercial advantages and significant concessions could be made that adversely impact your business’ financial viability in the future. The concept of a ‘standard’ lease in the retail sector is a myth, which fails to reflect a deeper legal understanding of the importance of a specific lease agreement – from the perspective of both the landlord and the tenant.

INDUSTRIAL LEASE

Industrial leases for manufacturing, assembly, research & development, warehousing and/or distribution/logistics operations are a critical factor in a business' operational and financial success. The property's location, zoning, condition, structures, foundation, expandability, etc., are of important significance to industrial tenants, thereby elevating the importance of the lease and the constant need for experienced and knowledgeable legal representation to protect your business' interests. Industrial leasing provides a full range of common and unique challenges, that impact landlords and tenants differently, including:

- expansion or downsizing of operations within the initial lease

- radical alterations in the marketplace or a business' financial situation

- leasehold improvements and heavy capital investment

- transportation considerations, shipping and receiving facilities

- environmental contamination and the release of pollutants

- pre-existing environmental damage (non-disclosure versus undetected)

- overloading of floors and paved areas

- structural repair and replacement costs of older buildings

- sale-and-leaseback arrangements

- building on spec, industrial parks, research and development centers

- investment opportunity versus functional obsolescence

MEDICAL BUILDING & OFFICE LEASE

Medical practices have special needs when it comes to leasing buildings or office space. Whether its a walk-in clinic, a doctor's office, a dental office, a laboratory, a pharmacy or other medical operation, the requirements of the leased premises are highly particular. There is a high degree of sensitivity that is involved in these business operations, as they pertain to the very health of their patients. This is a very important aspect to medical practitioners when it comes to leasing a property, yet only one of a number of significant concerns that are important and distinctive. Other issues of significance include:

- remodeling and special build-outs of the leased premises

- convenience and accessibility for patients

- heightened privacy concerns of patients

- removal of biomedical waste

- medical equipment frequently violates boilerplate lease agreements

- individual versus medical professional corporation as lessee

- group medical practices and its obligations

These are but a few of the concerns specific to a medical practice as tenant, which is only further compounded by the more general commercial tenancy matters that are at issue when leasing buildings or office space (or when leasing medical equipment).

For knowledgeable and experienced legal representation in negotiating, reviewing and drafting lease agreements, and protecting your business’ legal rights thereunder, contact lease lawyer Christopher Neufeld at 403-400-4092 [Alberta], 905-616-8864 [Ontario] or Chris@NeufeldLegal.com.

Contact us via email at chris@neufeldlegal.com or call 403-400-4092 / 905-616-8864.