A New Tenant's Guide to DC Commercial Leases

Becoming a new tenant in the competitive commercial real estate market of Washington, D.C., can be quite a daunting experience.

The journey from beginning your quest for the perfect office space to finally signing your lease might seem unending. With challenging hurdles such as space hunting and landlord negotiations, it's understandable if you feel overwhelmed when it's time to review and sign your lease.

If you feel like you're trying to understand a foreign language while looking at your lease agreement, don't worry; we are here to simplify it for you. This comprehensive guide will elucidate the most common clauses in office leasing, ensuring you know exactly what you're signing up for.

1. Identifying the Parties‍

At this stage of the leasing process, you might be thrilled about finding a space, so much so that you're ready to celebrate. However, in the commercial real estate industry, "parties" refer to the participants involved in the lease negotiation. This section includes the tenant and landlord's legal names (usually their company names) and delineates the terms used to reference them throughout the lease.

2. Defining the Premises‍

This clause provides an explicit description of what you're leasing, including shared areas and parking facilities you're entitled to use. If you're fortunate enough to lease an entire building, only the street address will be specified.

3. Use and Exclusivity‍

This clause specifies how you intend to use the rented space. The level of detail included depends on the landlord. If the landlord promises not to rent to your direct competitors, it means you have been granted exclusivity. This generally applies to larger tenants; however, some landlords may prefer a diverse mix of businesses in their building to enhance its appeal.

4. Understanding Lease Terms‍

Though it appears simple, close attention must be paid to your lease terms. These terms specify the start and end dates of your lease, and in some cases, there could be multiple dates. Don't be shocked if you're asked to commit to a term of three or more years; commercial leases are usually longer than residential ones. It's crucial to ensure that your insurance coverage also starts on the day your lease begins. Prior negotiation of important dates is essential to prevent unexpected issues at signing time.

5. Rent Details‍

The rent details portion of your lease agreement specifies the monthly rent that you are required to pay. The breakdown of this rent can vary greatly depending on the type of lease you sign. Some of the most common types of commercial leases include full-service leases, triple net leases, and modified gross leases.

• Full-Service Lease: In a full-service lease, the rent includes all property-related costs, such as utilities, janitorial services, property insurance, property taxes, and building maintenance. Essentially, the landlord pays most of the building expenses, and the tenant's primary concern is the rent. This lease type is common in multi-tenant office buildings. Although it may seem like the simplest and most convenient option, full-service leases often come with higher rent prices to compensate for the expenses absorbed by the landlord.
• Triple Net (NNN) Lease: A triple net lease contrasts significantly with a full-service lease. Here, the tenant is responsible for paying the property expenses directly, which include property taxes, building insurance, and maintenance, on top of their base rent. This lease type is most often used in single-tenant commercial properties. While the base rent in a NNN lease is typically lower than in a full-service lease, the additional costs can make this type of lease more expensive if not managed properly.
• Modified Gross Lease: This type of lease, also known as a modified net lease, is a middle ground between a full-service lease and a triple net lease. In a modified gross lease, the tenant pays their base rent, and then a pro-rata share of some (but not all) of the property expenses, like utilities and maintenance costs. The exact items that are covered by the tenant can be negotiated and will be explicitly stated in the lease.

No matter the type of lease you're entering into, it is critical to review this section carefully, as it may include additional expenses that you didn't initially anticipate. Understanding the nature of your commercial lease can prevent surprises down the line and help you budget appropriately for your business expenses.

6. Security Deposit‍

While residential leases limit landlords to asking for no more than two months of rent as a security deposit, commercial leases have no such restrictions. If you're unable to meet the required cash amount, the landlord may accept a letter of credit, where your bank reserves a certain amount of money for the landlord in case you fail to fulfill your obligations. Commercial leases often offer the possibility of getting your deposit back before the lease ends, but this must be explicitly stated in the contract.

7. Space Improvements‍

Your lease will detail any changes needed to make the space move-in ready, who is responsible for making these changes, and who will bear the costs. A significant portion of your lease should provide detailed information about this to prevent misunderstandings, especially if the building isn't yet completed.

8. Additional Clauses‍

The aforementioned sections cover the most common parts of your commercial lease. However, your lease agreement might contain additional clauses. Some of them include:

• Amenities: Some leases may include extra services for an additional fee, such as access to a fitness center, coffee services, concierge, and front desk services.
• Insurance: The lease will specify the type of insurance you need for your business and when it should commence as per the lease terms.
• Security and Signage: The lease may outline rules for placing business signs, and who is responsible for security systems, personnel, and locks.
• Renewal and Subletting: The lease may offer options to renew or sublet your space to others.
• Foreclosures: The lease should include provisions for what happens if the building goes into foreclosure.
• Disputes: The lease will specify how and where disputes will be settled.
• Legal Fees: The lease will detail who will bear the legal fees and how much the other party can collect in case of disputes or non-payment of rent.

In conclusion, understanding your DC commercial lease terms doesn't have to be a daunting task. Familiarizing yourself with these common clauses can go a long way in ensuring a smooth leasing experience.

Looking for property management services in your area?

Find out about our services and fees from one of our experienced agents. We provide management & brokerage services for community associations, residential properties, and commercial properties.

GET IN TOUCH