Commercial Lease / Rental Agreement template and PDF guide (Lease...
Prepare rental and lease terms online, then generate a formal PDF for tenant-landlord execution. Use this when renting retail, office, warehouse, or other non-residential space...
When to use this template
Prepare rental and lease terms online, then generate a formal PDF for tenant-landlord execution. Use this when renting retail, office, warehouse, or other non-residential space to a business tenant, where the terms are more complex than a residential lease and there are fewer consumer protection regulations.
What to include
- Base rent, rent structure (gross lease, net lease, triple-net/NNN, or percentage lease), and Common Area Maintenance (CAM) charges — clearly defining what the tenant pays on top of base rent.
- Permitted use clause specifying exactly what business activities the tenant can operate on the premises, and restrictions on competing businesses if in a multi-tenant property.
- Build-out and tenant improvement allowance: who pays for renovations, who owns the improvements at lease end, and the landlord's approval process for any construction work.
- Lease term, renewal options, rent escalation schedule (fixed percentage, CPI-indexed, or market rate adjustment), and any personal guarantee required from the business owner.
- Insurance requirements (general liability minimums, property insurance, naming the landlord as additional insured), indemnification clauses, and default/eviction procedures for commercial tenants.
Common questions
- Can I customize this Commercial Lease / Rental Agreement online for each tenant or property?
- Yes. Edit rent terms, responsibilities, dates, and property details in-browser before finalizing.
- Can I save this Commercial Lease / Rental Agreement and reuse it for future units?
- Yes. With an account, save and duplicate it to keep leasing paperwork consistent across your portfolio.
- Can I generate a sign-ready PDF from this Commercial Lease / Rental Agreement?
- Yes. Export a professional PDF suitable for e-sign, print signing, and legal recordkeeping.
- What is a triple-net (NNN) lease?
- The tenant pays base rent plus all three 'nets': property taxes, building insurance, and maintenance/CAM charges. This shifts most operating costs to the tenant and is common in retail and industrial leasing.
- Can I negotiate a tenant improvement allowance?
- Yes, this is standard in commercial leasing. The landlord may offer a dollar-per-square-foot allowance for build-out. Negotiate this before signing — it directly impacts your upfront costs.
- What happens if my business fails during the lease?
- You are still responsible for the remaining rent unless the lease has an early termination clause. If you signed a personal guarantee, the landlord can pursue your personal assets.
- Are commercial tenants protected like residential tenants?
- No. Commercial leases have far fewer statutory protections. There are no habitability requirements, security deposit limits, or mandatory disclosures in most states. Everything is negotiable, so read the lease carefully.