Glossary of Commercial Leasing Terms

Charges to a tenant not included in the base rent, such as after-hours services, common area maintenance (CAM) fees, etc.

A person authorized to act for or in place of another. In commercial leasing, a real estate agent represents a landlord or tenant in the lease of real property. A real estate agent can be a broker or a salesperson. A licensed attorney can also serve as an agent.

A substantial change to real estate, especially to the premises and usually not involving an addition to or removal of the exterior of the building’s structure.

A large retail tenant that draws traffic to the shopping center or project.

A non-judicial dispute resolution process that involves a hearing and determination of a disputed issue by one or more neutral third parties whose decision is binding.

The imposition of a tax, fine or other amount levied against a property, commonly by the government

A transfer of an interest in real property. With commercial lease assignments, it is the transfer of the leasehold interest.

Minimum rent due under a lease. Additional rent may be required.

Usually the first year of a lease to which future operating expenses are compared for the purpose of calculating expense increases.

Work required to make the premises ready to operate and open for business.

Office buildings are usually classified into Class A, Class B, or Class C, although there is no definitive formula. Standards vary by market to describe the overall quality of the building. Generally, Class A represents the newest and highest quality buildings in their market, with convenient locations and are professionally managed. Class B are a little older, but still have good management and tenants. Class C is the lowest classification. These buildings are usually older, located in less desirable areas, and may need renovation.

A legal notice indicating that a building complies with zoning and building ordinances. It is sometimes used to set the commencement date for rent or occupancy in a lease.

Areas of the project available for use by all tenants on a non-exclusive basis, such as hallways, lobby areas, parking lots, etc.

The CAM expense is an amount charged on top of base rent as additional rent and mainly includes maintenance fees for work performed to maintain the common areas of the project.

The maximum amount the tenant pays for its share of Common Area Maintenance expenses.

The taking of private property by a public agency through the right of eminent domain for a public purpose upon the payment of just compensation by the government agency to the property owner.

Anything of value given or promised by one party to induce another to enter into a contract. Consideration can come in the form of money, personal property, or a promise to do or not do something.

The term “demise” means to transfer or convey. In the commercial leasing context, the landlord conveys the premises to the tenant, thereby creating a leasehold estate, or the demised premises.

A name used by a business in its operations that differs from the registered legal name of the business.

The process of examining and investigating a property by or for the potential tenant, lender or purchaser. Failure to exercise due diligence may sometimes result in unanticipated costs or liabilities.

A commercial lease provision that prohibits the landlord from leasing space to others that would engage in the same line of business as the tenant.

In the context of commercial leasing, “execution” is sometimes used to refer to the act of signing a legal document (e.g., “execution of the lease agreement”). Also, the act or process of performing any duties or obligations under a signed lease.

The maximum amount a landlord will pay for certain operating expenses.

The price a buyer is willing to pay, and a seller is willing to accept in the open market in an unrelated, arms-length transaction. In the commercial leasing context, the term is sometimes used in connection with describing the method for determining the value of rent (i.e., fair market rent).

A drawing that shows the design of a building or room from above.

A clause often found in commercial leases (and other commercial contracts) that excuses or delays performance of an obligation by one or both parties due to events that make the performance impossible or impracticable, particularly when the event is beyond the control of the parties. Examples of common force majeure events include war, flood, drought, earthquake, fire, volcanic eruption, landslide, hurricane, tornado, an act of God, terrorist act, epidemic, military action, government action, strike, labor dispute, etc.

A type of rent structure under which the tenant pays rent that is all-inclusive. The landlord covers all other occupancy expenses such as utilities, taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

An assurance by one party that another party will perform under a contract.

Dangerous substances that because of its physical or chemical composition, quantity, or concentration may cause harm to human health or the environment.

The system that is used to provide heating and cooling services to buildings.

When a tenant continues occupying premises after the expiration of the original lease term.

The right of an injured party to claim reimbursement for its loss, damage or liability from a person has a legal obligation to indemnify them. Commercial leases often contain indemnity clauses to allocate risk between landlord and tenant.

A lease clause that allows a tenant or landlord to cancel the lease after a certain time has passed, or certain conditions have or have not been met.

A person or entity that owns real property and leases it to a tenant.

A legally binding contract under which an owner of real property grants to another the right to use the real property in exchange for rent or other consideration. The lease also contains the terms governing the agreement to lease the real property.

Ownership by a tenant of a temporary right to occupy and use a property for the duration of a lease in exchange for rent.

Another term for a tenant.

Another term for a landlord.

A letter issued by a bank to another bank to serve as a guaranty for payments made to a specified person or entity under specified conditions.

In the commercial leasing context, a document outlining certain agreements between parties (usually the business terms of the deal) before the agreements are finalized in a formal, comprehensive lease agreement.

A monetary encumbrance on a specific property (real or personal) making the property security for the satisfaction of a debt, or the performance of an obligation.

A clause in a contract which stipulates a set dollar amount of damages or a calculation for determining such damages, to be collected by one party upon a breach of contract by the other party.

Usually found in an office building lease, load factor means the percentage of non-rentable space (e.g., lobby, restrooms, corridors, etc.) charged pro-rata to each tenant on the basis of square footage rented.

A statutory lien that secures payment for labor or materials supplied in repairing or improving real property. Related terms: “construction lien” (for labor) and “materialmen’s lien” (for materials).

A non-judicial dispute resolution process where a neutral third party assists disputing parties in reaching a mutually agreeable solution.

In retail or shopping centers, an association of merchant-tenants formed by the developer or owner, to finance the promotion of the center as a whole.

In the commercial lease context, the base, fixed rent applicable for a certain period. Can be subject to adjustment periodically, based on negotiated terms.

A legal instrument that makes specific real property security for the payment of a loan, or the performance of an obligation.

A property occupied by, or leased to, more than one tenant.

A lease in which the tenant is responsible for direct payment of property expenses such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs in addition to rent.

A clause either prohibiting a landlord from leasing space to another tenant engaged in the same or similar business as the tenant signing the lease or prohibiting a tenant from operating competitive locations within a specified geographic area or distance from the demised premises.

The total cost of leasing space, including minimum rent, percentage rent, taxes, insurance, maintenance, parking fees, advertising fees, merchant association fees, and any other charges assessed on a periodic basis.

A right given in exchange for consideration (i.e., something of value) by a landlord to a tenant to buy or lease property under specific terms and conditions for a specific period, without obligating the tenant to exercise that right.

Laws passed by local governments (either cities or counties).

The condemnation of only a portion of an entire property by a government agency for public use and just compensation. For example, condemnation of a strip of land abutting a parking lot for road widening purposes.

Typically, in retail leases, the rent charged to a tenant based a percentage of gross sales.

Uses of a specified property that complies with local zoning ordinances.

In the commercial leasing context, giving or taking of occupancy of the premises. This can occur before, at the same time, or after the commencement date of the lease or the commencement of rent.

The actual space in a building leased to a tenant for its exclusive use.

Arises in subleasing situations and refers to the original lease of the subject premises to distinguish it from the sublease.

The proportion of costs allocated to a tenant in a multi-tenant property. The Pro-rata Share is typically used to allocate taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance expenses and is usually equal to the percentage that a tenant’s rentable square footage bears to the total rentable square footage of the property.

Land, and any improvements constructed on it, are considered “real” property. Everything else is considered “personal” property.

The right of a property owner, or a tenant, to use the property without interference from another party, so long as they comply with all the terms and conditions of their agreement.

In the commercial leasing context, the right of a landlord to take back space from a tenant who does not meet performance standards specified in the lease for sales volume, rent, or other reasons.

Filing or recording a legal document with the appropriate recording office to make it of public record, which is said to give notice to interested parties of the existence of an encumbrance affecting the subject property.

In a commercial lease, the negotiated right of the landlord to move a tenant from one location to another within a building or project.

Consideration paid for the use and occupancy of property.

A reduction in rent. Rent abatement can be a right negotiated in a lease that is triggered in certain situations or it can be part of an agreement that is negotiated by landlord and tenant after the lease is signed. Example: A tenant may request rent abatement from its landlord for a temporary period when their use of the premises is expected to be interrupted or inhibited.

A period of free rent given to the tenant by the landlord.

The square footage of the property for which the landlord charges rent. Compare with “Usable Area.”

In the commercial leasing context, the negotiated right of a tenant to match any bona fide offer received by a landlord to lease the demised or other premises; or, if negotiated, the right to match an offer to purchase the property.

Often an exhibit to a lease or a document incorporated by reference in the lease describing important operational aspects of the building or complex, such as hours of operation, noise control, parking regulations, delivery procedures, trash removal, etc.

A short document prepared to be recorded in a public registry, which memorializes the existence of an unrecorded lease. Commonly contains party names, addresses, commencement date, and the expiration of the lease term.

A property leased to only one tenant.

The unit of measurement used to calculate the floor area of a space. For example, if a space is 50 feet wide and 70 feet deep, it would have an area of 3,500 square feet (50 ft x 70 ft = 3,500 sf).

The parts of a building constituting its “shell,” including the foundation, floor, walls, roof structure, and roof, sewer lines, water mains, and utility systems from the street to the building.

A lease where the original tenant sublets all or a portion of the leasehold interest to another tenant (referred to as the “subtenant”) while still retaining a leasehold interest in the property. This arrangement is sometimes loosely referred to as a “sandwich lease” because the original tenant is sandwiched between the landlord and the subtenant.

The act of moving something, such as a right or a claim, to a lower position of priority. Example: We are subordinating the first mortgage lien to a second mortgage lien.

The substitution of one party for another concerning a right or claim. In the commercial leasing context, this term arises in insurance clauses in reference to the concept under which an insurer pays a loss under an insurance policy and is entitled to all the rights and remedies of the insured against a third party concerning any covered loss.

A person or entity that occupies and holds the right to possess real property owned by another.

An amount, negotiated in a lease, that a landlord is willing to give to a tenant to make improvements to the premises. Landlords typically recover the Tenant Improvement Allowance from the tenant through the rent over the lease term.

Modifications to the leased property to accommodate the specific needs of the tenant, such as interior walls, flooring, light fixtures, doors, window treatments, etc. Can be inside or outside of the premises and can be paid for by the tenant, landlord, or both. The costs of these are typically negotiated in the lease.

The length of time during which the lease is in effect.

Ending or canceling a lease for any reason.

Personal property items that are affixed to real property by a tenant, which are needed to conduct its business, and are removable by the tenant at the end of the lease.

When a tenant pays rent plus all property expenses (e.g., property taxes, insurance, and maintenance), leaving the landlord with an amount “net” of such property expense costs.

Uniform Commercial Code, Form 1. This is a standardized form financing statement document that is recorded to provide notice of personal property pledged as security.

The actual square footage available for tenant’s use. Compare with “Rentable Area.”

A permit obtained from the planning department of the city or county in which the property is located, which allows an owner or tenant to use a property for a purpose not permitted under the zoning ordinance. Generally issued for a relatively shorter period of time with periodic renewal.

The process of determining the value or estimated value of something.

A more permanent exemption from the zoning ordinance for a specific feature that is obtained from the planning department of the city or county in which the property is located (e.g., a height limitation variance, a parking variance, etc.).

Giving up or relinquishing the privilege to enforce a right.

The mechanism for local governments to regulate the use of privately-owned real property. Land use classifications determine whether a property is commercial, residential, industrial, or agricultural, and can be very specific as to the property’s use.