Real Estate Template
Free Commercial Lease Agreement Template
A commercial lease agreement covers the rental of commercial property for business purposes. Use this template for office space, retail units, warehouses, and industrial premises.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# Commercial Lease Agreement
**Landlord:** {{landlordName}}
**Tenant:** {{tenantName}} ({{businessName}})
**Premises:** {{premisesAddress}}
**Date:** {{date}}
## Term
{{leaseTerm}}
## Rent
{{rentAmount}} per {{rentPeriod}}
## Permitted Use
{{permittedUse}}
## Maintenance
{{maintenanceTerms}}
## Insurance
{{insuranceRequirements}}
## Renewal
{{renewalTerms}}Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
Commercial leases are fundamentally different from residential leases. They are typically longer (3-10+ years), more negotiable, and place greater obligations on the tenant. Understanding the lease structure is critical before signing.
Types of commercial lease: - Gross Lease (Full Service): Landlord pays all operating expenses (taxes, insurance, maintenance). Rent is higher but predictable for the tenant. - Net Lease (NNN/Triple Net): Tenant pays base rent plus property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Common in retail and industrial. Lower base rent but variable total cost. - Modified Gross: Splits expenses between landlord and tenant. The most negotiable structure. - Percentage Lease: Base rent plus a percentage of the tenant's gross revenue. Common in retail malls and shopping centres.
Key clauses to negotiate: 1. Permitted use — Be specific about what activities are allowed. Too narrow limits your business flexibility; too broad may violate zoning. 2. Exclusivity clause — Prevents the landlord from leasing to a competing business in the same property (critical for retail tenants). 3. Assignment and subletting — Can you transfer the lease if you sell the business or need to downsize? Most landlords require consent but cannot unreasonably withhold it. 4. Maintenance responsibilities — Who pays for HVAC, roof, structural repairs? In NNN leases, tenants may be responsible for everything. 5. Rent escalation — Annual increases of 2-4% are standard, but negotiate a cap. Avoid uncapped CPI-linked escalations. 6. Personal guarantee — Landlords may require the business owner to personally guarantee the lease. Try to limit the guarantee to 12-24 months of rent. 7. Break clause — The ability to terminate early, usually after a specified period with notice and a penalty.
Signing a commercial lease electronically is now standard practice. The SHA-256 certificate provides a tamper-proof record of the agreed terms, protecting both landlord and tenant in disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Can a commercial lease be signed electronically?
Yes. Commercial leases are valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). The electronic audit trail provides stronger evidence of agreed terms than traditional paper signatures.
What is a triple net (NNN) lease?
A triple net lease requires the tenant to pay base rent plus property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. It shifts most operating expenses to the tenant. Common in retail and industrial commercial properties.
How long is a typical commercial lease?
Commercial leases typically range from 3-10 years for office and retail space, with 5 years being most common. Industrial leases may be longer (10-25 years). Shorter terms (1-3 years) are available but usually at higher per-square-foot rates.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.