Commercial Lease Review Sydney
Signing a commercial lease in Sydney without a proper review can lock your business into years of costly obligations — don't let confusing clauses catch you out. Get a clear, plain-English breakdown of exactly what you're agreeing to before you put pen to paper.
Why Commercial Lease Reviews Matter in Sydney
Sydney operates one of the most expensive commercial rental markets in the Asia-Pacific, with CBD and inner-suburb tenancies routinely commanding premium rents and landlords pushing heavily negotiated lease terms in their favour. Many Sydney commercial leases run five to ten years, meaning a single overlooked clause — an unrestricted outgoings schedule or a poorly worded make-good provision — can translate into tens of thousands of dollars of unexpected cost. If your lease covers retail premises, it may fall under the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW), which carries specific disclosure obligations and protections that are worth understanding before you sign. Disputes between landlords and tenants in New South Wales can end up before NCAT (NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal), making it all the more important to know what your lease actually says from day one. Personal guarantees are also common practice in Sydney commercial leases, meaning your individual assets could be on the line if the business can't meet its obligations.
What We Check in Every Commercial Lease
- Make-good scope and estimated cost at end of term
- Bank guarantee amount compared to market norms
- Outgoings schedule and what costs you are responsible for
- Demolition clause notice period and any compensation entitlements
- Option to renew terms and how and when to exercise them
- Permitted use clause and whether it covers your actual business activities
- Assignment rights if you need to sell or transfer the business
- Whether rent reviews are tied to CPI or open market valuations
- Personal guarantee scope and whether it can be negotiated or capped
- Landlord consent requirements and conditions attached to approvals
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a commercial lease review cost in Sydney?
Our commercial lease review is a flat $79 with no hidden extras — you upload your lease and receive a plain-English PDF report in 15 minutes. Our report helps you understand what you're looking at and flag areas worth discussing before you spend that money.
How quickly will I get my lease review back?
Your plain-English PDF report is ready in 15 minutes from the moment you upload your lease. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it doesn't matter if you're reviewing a lease late on a Friday night or early Sunday morning. There's no waiting for business hours or booking an appointment.
Does the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW) apply to my Sydney lease?
The Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW) applies to many retail premises in New South Wales and includes specific rules around disclosure, outgoings, and minimum lease terms that landlords must follow. Whether your lease falls under the Act depends on factors such as the nature of your business and the premises, and our review will flag if there are provisions that appear inconsistent with standard protections under the Act. If you're unsure, it may be worth getting a NSW solicitor to confirm your coverage, particularly if a dispute ever escalated to NCAT.
Is this a legal advice service?
No — our report is a plain-English review that explains what your lease says and highlights clauses that may be worth negotiating or querying further. We are not lawyers and this is not legal advice. For high-value leases, complex negotiations, or any disputed matters, we'd always recommend engaging a qualified NSW solicitor.
Who typically uses this service for Sydney commercial leases?
We see a wide range of Sydney business owners use the service — from first-time café or retail operators taking on their first lease, to experienced founders opening a new location, franchisees reviewing franchise-linked premises agreements, and company directors asked to sign a personal guarantee. Commercial tenants across the CBD, inner suburbs, and greater Sydney metro area use the report to get across the key terms quickly before their lawyer call or landlord negotiation.
Ready to Review Your Commercial Lease?
Flat $79. 15 minutes. 24/7. Every trap flagged before you sign. Delivered to Sydney businesses every day.
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