Commercial Leasing
At Winderweedle, we provide experienced representation of both landlords and tenants in retail, office, mixed-use, industrial, and agricultural leasing.
How we help landlords
Protecting and enhancing the value of your commercial property is at the heart of our work. We draw on our extensive experience with grocery-anchored shopping centers, outparcels, ground leases, triple-net (NNN) and pad leases, as well as ground-up and redevelopment projects. We guide clients through the evolving office market, providing solutions for new leases, subleases, assignments, and attornments. With extensive experience in medical leasing—covering urgent care facilities and medical offices in both retail and office settings—and industrial leasing for warehouse, fulfillment, and aviation hangars, our services span a broad spectrum of commercial leasing needs. Our agricultural leasing team supports landowners in conservation and farming agreements. In every sector, our aim is to craft tailored solutions that minimize risk and preserve long-term stability for your properties.
How we help tenants
We take pride in representing tenants in commercial leasing matters. Whether negotiating a new lease, renewing an existing lease, or pursuing an amendment, we work to align the terms with each client’s operational and financial objectives. Our goal is to secure flexibility and protections that allow your business to flourish. From national retail chains to local franchises and corporate offices, we strive to structure leases in ways that promote your long-term success.
Winderweedle’s commercial leasing attorneys are here to help
At Winderweedle, we are committed to providing strategic legal counsel tailored to each client’s unique needs throughout the leasing process. Through a deep understanding of market trends and legal complexities, we empower tenants to make informed decisions at every stage of the process. Whether you are a tenant or a landlord seeking reliable guidance in commercial leasing, our team is here to assist you every step of the way.
Commercial Leasing Attorneys
Frequently Asked Questions
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A triple net lease requires the tenant to pay base rent and utilities, plus real estate taxes, property insurance, and maintenance costs for the leased premises. How those additional expenses are paid can vary. In some cases, the tenant pays and arranges for these expenses directly with minimal involvement from the landlord, as seen with certain ground leases or building leases. In many in-line retail spaces, the tenant might pay monthly estimated tax, insurance, and maintenance costs directly to the landlord while the landlord pays the taxes, holds the casualty insurance, and arranges for building maintenance.
Gross and modified gross leases are often seen in addition to NNN leases. In a gross lease, the landlord includes tax, insurance, and maintenance in the stated rent. This offers predictability for tenants, but carries higher risk for landlords if expenses increase unexpectedly. A modified gross lease—common in office leases—resembles a gross lease in the first year (the “base year”) but then requires tenants to pay any increases in annual pass-through expenses in subsequent years. Some retail leases also include percentage rent, which is an additional amount based on a percentage of sales above a certain threshold.
Both landlords and tenants have obligations to third parties under the ADA, but the precise allocation of these responsibilities can vary by lease. To avoid ambiguity, it is best practice to address ADA obligations directly in the lease documents, rather than relying solely on the general maintenance clauses in the lease. For example, a tenant signing a lease for an existing space might not expect to perform structural ADA alterations solely because it agreed to “comply with law” or to “maintain the premises”.
Tenants can seek renewal rights, sublease or assignment rights, contraction or expansion options, rights of first refusal or first offer (to purchase or lease), or early termination rights or so-called “kick-out clauses”. These provisions give tenants flexibility to adapt to changing business needs throughout the term of the lease.
A well-drafted lease spells out the process for exercising these rights, and clearly states the terms and conditions to help tenants maintain control over their operations for the life of the lease.