🏢 Commercial Lease Agreement Template — Free Template

A lease for business premises that sets out the space, term, rent and increases, who pays operating costs, the security deposit, permitted use, maintenance duties and what happens on default.

Who needs this

Property owners and businesses leasing office, retail, warehouse or other non-residential space.

What it covers

• Premises description and permitted use
• Lease term and start date
• Base rent, due date and annual increases
• Gross or net lease operating costs
• Security deposit
• Maintenance and repairs
• Insurance
• Default, notice and cure

Template clauses

1. Premises

Landlord leases to Tenant the premises located at {{premises_address}}, consisting of approximately {{square_feet}} rentable square feet (the "Premises").

2. Term

The lease term begins on {{lease_start_date}} and ends on {{lease_end_date}} (the "Term"), unless ended earlier under this Lease. Any renewal must be agreed in writing by both parties.

3. Base Rent

Tenant shall pay monthly base rent of {{monthly_rent}}, due on day {{rent_due_day}} of each month, in advance. Base rent increases by {{annual_increase}} on each anniversary of the start date. Rent not received within five days after the due date incurs a late charge of {{late_fee}}.

4. Operating Costs

{{#when lease_type=gross}}GROSS LEASE. Base rent includes property taxes, Landlord's insurance and common-area maintenance. Tenant pays its own utilities and services used at the Premises.{{/when}}{{#when lease_type=net}}NET LEASE. In addition to base rent, Tenant shall pay its share of property taxes, Landlord's insurance and common-area maintenance for the property, which is {{tenant_share}}, as reasonably estimated by Landlord and reconciled annually against actual costs.{{/when}}

5. Security Deposit

Tenant shall pay a security deposit of {{security_deposit}} on signing. Landlord may apply it to unpaid amounts owed under this Lease and shall return the balance, with an itemized statement of deductions, after the Lease ends and Tenant vacates, within the time required by law.

6. Use

Tenant shall use the Premises only for {{permitted_use}} and shall comply with all laws, permits and property rules applicable to that use. Tenant is responsible for confirming that zoning permits its intended use.

7. Maintenance and Repairs

Landlord shall maintain the roof, structure and building systems serving the Premises, except for damage caused by Tenant. Tenant shall keep the interior of the Premises in good, clean condition. Tenant shall not make alterations without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld for non-structural changes.

8. Insurance

Tenant shall carry commercial general liability insurance of at least {{liability_insurance}} per occurrence, naming Landlord as an additional insured, and shall give Landlord a certificate of insurance before taking possession.

9. Assignment and Subletting

Tenant shall not assign this Lease or sublet any part of the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

10. Default

Tenant is in default if it fails to pay rent within {{cure_days}} days after written notice, or fails to cure any other breach within thirty days after written notice. On default, Landlord may pursue the remedies available under applicable law, including ending this Lease through the legal process required in the state where the Premises are located.

11. Governing Law and Notices

This Lease is governed by the laws of {{governing_law}}, where the Premises are located. Notices must be in writing and delivered to the addresses the parties give each other in writing.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lease as of the Effective Date written above.

[PARTY A NAME]
Signature: __________________________
Date: ______________

[PARTY B NAME]
Signature: __________________________
Date: ______________

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