If you are at the point where you are ready to sign a retail lease contract let us first say congratulations. Actually finding the retail space is part one of a process that can at times be quite cumbersome. What is step-two? Well, if you are reading this article you will know it is entering into a legally binding lease agreement. When securing your retail space for lease, you no doubt want to ensure you get the best deal possible.
Retail Space For Lease: Basic Terms

Lease Structure
Triple Net
Percentage Lease
Lease Length
Tenant Obligations
In a Triple-Net Lease…
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Rent
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Insurance
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Property Taxes
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Common Area Maintenance
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Utilities
In a Percentage Lease…
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Base Rent
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A fixed percentage of your monthly income
The Counter-Offer For Your Retail Lease

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Decreasing basic rates
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Lease terms (shorter or longer)
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Free rent. Dependent upon market conditions this could be anywhere from 1 to 6 months.
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A smaller percentage of revenue in a Percentage Lease
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Increased tenant improvement, or finish-out, allowances
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Graduated lease rates. These rates start low, but increase over term of lease.
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Establishing limits on Triple Net (NNN) charges
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Including certain utilities in the base rental rate. Typically water and sewer are included but you can attempt to negotiate for gas, electricity, and trash removal.
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Clauses:
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Escape clauses: Help you get out of the lease in specific circumstance.
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Sublease clauses: Providing you an option to lease out your space to another tenant.
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Exclusivity clauses: Prevents a landlord from leasing space on the property to a direct competitor.
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Co-Tenancy clauses: Allows you to break a lease if an anchor tenant at your property leaves and the landlord can’t replace them within a certain timeframe.
Ensuring the Best Deal For Your Retail Lease
Percival Partners is one of Charlotte’s most recognized and respected commercial real estate firms with more than 50 years experience in the region. Our professional and experienced real estate Advisors are in the business of listening, understanding, and adding value. No matter the commercial property type you own or seek, you can count on the Percival Partners team to maximize your return and peace of mind. To reach us, you can call us at 704.632.1000 or follow us at @SVNPercival, LinkedIn or Facebook.