Commercial lease NZ services for landlords and tenants who need a properly drafted agreement that protects their income and their business. Deeds of lease, renewals, assignments, subleases and lease reviews across New Zealand.
Includes your free consultation, lease drafting or review, custom provisions for your specific situation and one revision round. No hourly billing.
Whether you are taking on a new premises, renewing an existing lease or dealing with a tricky assignment — we draft, review and advise on commercial leases for NZ landlords and tenants at a fixed fee.
What's included in your Commercial Lease service — from $495 + GST
Everything below is covered under one fixed fee. No extras, no hourly billing, no hidden costs.
Whether you are a landlord protecting your property or a tenant protecting your business, we understand your position and draft accordingly. We don't produce documents that serve the other side.
A lease you don't understand is a lease that will catch you out. We write and explain commercial leases in plain English so both parties are clear on their obligations from day one.
A properly drafted commercial lease protects your rental income, your tenancy security and your business continuity. Getting it right at the start is far cheaper than fixing it later.
Standard leases cover most situations. We identify where your situation needs custom clauses and draft them — whether that covers fit-out, permitted use, outgoings or early termination.
From $495 + GST covers the full service. You know the exact cost before we start. No ticking clock, no bill shock and no add-ons you didn't ask for.
Leases evolve. We are available for renewals, rent review guidance, assignment documentation and variations as your business and tenancy requirements change over time.
A commercial lease is often one of the largest financial commitments a business makes. Signing one without proper advice — or relying on a standard form that doesn't match your situation — can lead to serious and costly problems.
Simple, clear and done for you — from first conversation to finalised lease documents.
We start with a no-obligation call to understand your premises, your commercial terms and whether you need a new lease drafted or an existing one reviewed. We ask the right questions so nothing gets missed.
Your price is confirmed upfront from $495 + GST — the complete service. You can pay online immediately or we invoice after the consultation. No hourly billing at any stage.
We draft your Deed of Lease or review your existing documents, including any custom provisions required for your premises and situation. Everything is written in plain English.
You review the draft and we make any adjustments included in your fee. Once finalised, your lease documents are ready and we walk you through any key obligations and next steps.
Ready to get started?
Book a free consultation or buy directly online — from $495 + GST.
The type of lease work you need depends on where you are in the process. We handle all of the following at the same transparent fixed fee.
Margate Group is a business consultancy, not a law firm. We provide lease documentation and commercial advice services. We do not provide services reserved for lawyers and we cannot represent clients in court proceedings or property conveyancing.
Real outcomes for real NZ business owners and landlords.
We can't recommend The Margate Group highly enough. During our business's start-up phase, Margate provided invaluable, clear, and precise advice on agreements and structure. They have a unique ability to explain complex legal jargon in plain terms.
It's not often I write reviews but I have been incredibly impressed with work done by Margate reviewing a number of contracts for my business. Highly recommended.
As a SME owner, getting the right advice isn't always easy. Margate strike the perfect balance of professional, direct and genuinely caring. From contract negotiations to tricky customer non-payment disputes, they've consistently helped me achieve the right outcome. Highly recommend.
A commercial lease is a significant legal and financial commitment. Understanding how it works — and where the traps are — protects both landlords and tenants before anything is signed.
A Deed of Lease is the primary document that governs the relationship between a landlord and a commercial tenant. It sets out the agreed terms of the tenancy including rent, lease term, permitted use, outgoings, maintenance obligations and what happens at the end of the lease.
In New Zealand, the Auckland District Law Society (ADLS) standard form commercial lease is widely used as a base document. However, the standard form contains many provisions that heavily favour the landlord, and both parties need to understand what they are agreeing to before signing. A lease that is not properly understood — or not tailored to the specific premises — is one of the most common sources of costly commercial disputes.
The Deed of Lease also typically includes a personal guarantee by the directors or shareholders of the tenant company. This means that if the business fails to meet its lease obligations, the guarantors can be personally pursued for rent arrears and other costs. Understanding the scope of that guarantee before signing is essential for any business owner.
The most important terms in any commercial lease are: the lease term including any rights of renewal; the base rent and how it is reviewed over time; the permitted use of the premises; the outgoings the tenant is responsible for; and the make-good or reinstatement obligations at the end of the tenancy.
Rent review clauses deserve particular attention. Market rent reviews, CPI reviews and fixed percentage increases all operate very differently and can produce dramatically different rental outcomes over a long lease term. Many tenants sign leases without fully understanding how a rent review can increase their costs.
The outgoings clause is another area where disputes commonly arise. Outgoings can include rates, insurance, body corporate levies and building management costs. The lease should clearly define which outgoings the tenant is responsible for and how they are calculated and invoiced.
The permitted use clause restricts what the tenant can do with the premises. A narrowly drafted permitted use clause can prevent a tenant from changing or expanding their business activities without the landlord's consent, which can become a significant problem as the business evolves.
The most important thing any tenant can do before signing a commercial lease is to understand every obligation they are taking on. The lease is a long-term commitment — typically three to six years with rights of renewal — and getting it wrong has serious financial consequences.
Key things tenants should review carefully include: the scope of the personal guarantee and whether it can be limited; the make-good provisions at lease end and what reinstatement actually involves; the assignment and subletting restrictions that could prevent a business sale; the landlord's consent requirements for fit-out, alterations and signage; and the default provisions and what happens if the business runs into difficulty.
Many tenants also overlook the renewal process. Rights of renewal in New Zealand commercial leases are typically not automatic — they require the tenant to give notice within a specific timeframe. Missing that window can mean losing the right to renew entirely and having to vacate or renegotiate from scratch.
For landlords, a properly drafted commercial lease is the primary tool for protecting rental income and the condition of the property. The key areas to get right are: ensuring the personal guarantee is properly documented and covers the right parties; clearly defining the permitted use to protect the property's value and other tenants; and including robust make-good provisions that obligate the tenant to restore the premises at lease end.
Landlords should also ensure the lease clearly addresses outgoings recovery — how operating costs are calculated, evidenced and invoiced to the tenant. Vague outgoings clauses are frequently disputed when relationships sour.
The assignment and subletting provisions matter significantly for landlords too. A landlord's right to withhold consent to an assignment should be clearly articulated, and the conditions that apply should be documented. An assignment to a financially weak or operationally inappropriate incoming tenant can create significant problems for the property.
A lease assignment occurs when the existing tenant transfers all of their remaining lease rights and obligations to a new party — most commonly when a business is sold as a going concern. The incoming tenant steps into the shoes of the outgoing tenant for the balance of the lease term.
Assignment typically requires landlord consent, which under standard ADLS terms cannot be unreasonably withheld. The landlord is entitled to assess the financial standing and suitability of the incoming tenant before granting consent. The process involves a formal Deed of Assignment signed by all three parties — the outgoing tenant, the incoming tenant and the landlord.
An important point is that the outgoing tenant does not automatically escape liability when a lease is assigned. The original lessee and guarantors may remain liable if the landlord has not released them — which is why the terms of any assignment need to be carefully documented. We prepare the full assignment package and advise on both sides of the transaction.
A right of renewal is the tenant's contractual option to extend the lease for a further term on the same or similar conditions. The renewal process in New Zealand typically requires the tenant to give written notice of their intention to renew within a specified timeframe — commonly three to six months before the current term expires.
Missing the renewal notice window is a serious problem. If notice is not given in time, the right of renewal is lost unless the landlord agrees to waive the requirement — which they are under no obligation to do. Many tenants lose their premises simply because they were not paying attention to the renewal deadline.
At renewal, rent is typically reviewed to market as part of the renewal process. The terms of the renewed lease may also be updated, including a new set of guarantors if the original guarantors are no longer involved in the business. We prepare renewal documentation and advise on the rent review process to ensure the tenant understands their position going into the renewed term.
Need help with a commercial lease?
We draft and review commercial leases for NZ landlords and tenants — including deeds of lease, renewals, assignments and subleases.
Start with a free 30-minute consultation or buy directly online for $495 + GST.
Book Free Consultation Buy Now — $495 + GSTHonest answers about our commercial lease service.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Ask Us AnythingOur commercial lease service starts from $495 + GST. This covers your free consultation, a fully drafted or reviewed lease, any custom provisions and one revision round. No hourly billing and no hidden costs.
Yes. We act for both landlords and tenants depending on the engagement. Whether you need a lease drafted to protect your property income or reviewed before you commit to new premises, we can help. We make it clear from the outset which party we are working for.
Yes. We assist with commercial lease renewals including the notice process, documentation and guidance on the rent review component. We make sure the renewed lease accurately reflects what has been agreed and that both parties understand their obligations going into the new term.
A personal guarantee is a commitment by individual directors or shareholders to personally meet the lease obligations if the company cannot. Most landlords require one for commercial tenancies. Understanding the full scope of what you are personally guaranteeing before signing is essential — we explain this clearly as part of our lease review service.
Yes. We prepare the lease assignment documentation including the Deed of Assignment and the landlord consent process. This is one of the most common issues in business sales — the lease needs to transfer to the incoming buyer and landlord consent needs to be properly obtained and documented.
Make-good (sometimes called reinstatement) refers to the obligation to restore the premises to its original condition at the end of the lease. This typically means removing any fit-out you installed and repairing damage. Make-good costs can be significant and are a common source of disputes between landlords and outgoing tenants. A properly drafted lease clearly defines what is expected — and we make sure you understand those obligations before you sign.
No. Margate Group is a business consultancy, not a law firm. We provide lease documentation and commercial advice services. We do not provide services reserved for lawyers and we cannot represent clients in court proceedings or undertake property conveyancing.
Yes. We work with clients nationwide across New Zealand. All our services are available remotely so your location is no barrier. We regularly assist clients in Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga and across regional New Zealand.
Don't sign a commercial lease without proper advice. A fixed-fee service covering your full deed of lease, review or renewal — drafted for your specific situation and delivered fast.
Get started today
Commercial Lease Service — from $495 + GST
Book a free consultation to discuss your situation or buy directly online and we will follow up to gather the details we need.
Book Free ConsultationAccepted payment methods
We are a business consultancy, not a law firm. We cannot represent clients in court proceedings.
