Spot Hidden Traps in Commercial Storefront Leases Before Signing
Opening a café, restaurant or retail shop? Scan the landlord's lease for fatal traps: insufficient kW power capacity, business license failure exit clauses, demolition compensation grabs and transfer fees.
Countless brick-and-mortar founders lose their life savings before opening day because the unit lacks 3-phase power or fails fire inspection after renovation. Catching these traps before signing saves tens of thousands.
Step-by-Step Action Checklist
0 / 4 CompletedYou are a Senior Commercial Real Estate Attorney representing retail and hospitality tenants. I am leasing a storefront for a [Business Type: e.g., Café / Restaurant / Retail Studio]. Below is the landlord's draft lease: [Paste commercial lease text] Audit this lease from the **Tenant's perspective**: 1) **Top 5 Fatal Lease Traps**: Check for missing **Permit/Zoning Contingency Clauses** (full refund if licenses fail), **Electrical Load (kW) & Exhaust Guarantees**, **Eminent Domain / Demolition Renovation Compensation**, **Subleasing/Assignment Exit Rights**, and **Rent-Free Buildout Extensions**; 2) **Redline Clause Replacements**: Provide exact tenant-protective wording I can paste back to negotiate with the landlord; 3) **Pre-Signing Due Diligence Checklist** (verifying title deed, mortgage/seizure status, and master lease consent if subleasing).