Engage early so the lease is reviewed before signing, not after.
What happens at this step
A commercial lease is the second most-negotiated contract a business signs (after employment agreements). Engaging a lawyer before signing is the standard. Tenants benefit because the ADLS form is heavily landlord-oriented in places. Landlords benefit because tailoring the schedule for the specific tenant and property protects them long term.
What NZ Legal does
We open the file, run AML, send a fixed-fee quote, and stand by ready for the lease draft. We brief you on the agreed commercial terms and what is and is not standard in the NZ market.
What you do
Send us the agreed commercial heads of agreement (rent, term, renewal rights, premises). Send us the draft lease as soon as you have it. Decide on your priorities (cost certainty, exit flexibility, signage rights, exclusivity in a centre).
Common pitfalls
- Signing the heads of agreement without legal review. Heads of agreement are sometimes argued to be binding.
- Telling the agent or landlord 'just send the lease, I will sign'. The lease almost always needs amendments.
- Treating a commercial lease like a residential tenancy. They are very different documents.
