What is an Offer to Lease?
An Offer to Lease is a document that expresses a prospective tenant’s desire to rent a commercial property. It’s an important document that initiates the leasing process for commercial property.
An Offer to Lease is also known as a:
- Commercial lease proposal
- Letter of intent to lease
- Proposal to lease
LawDepot’s Offer to Lease template is available for commercial properties in all Australian states and territories.
How does an Offer to Lease work in Australia?
An Offer to Lease outlines key terms (e.g., rent, lease term, and special conditions) for leasing a commercial property between a landlord and a prospective tenant. It helps formalise negotiations and ensures both parties agree on the basics of leasing a commercial property before completing a binding Commercial Lease Agreement.
Once the landlord signs and accepts the tenant’s Offer to Lease, it becomes a binding agreement to lease on those terms, which can then be incorporated into a Commercial Lease Agreement.
Offers to Lease vs. Lease Agreements for commercial property
An Offer to Lease typically precedes a lease agreement. It outlines the key points that the landlord and prospective commercial tenant intend to use as the basis for negotiating and creating a formal contract.
The Commercial Lease Agreement is a binding contract that covers the lease terms, both parties' rights and responsibilities, and any conditions in greater detail.
It’s important to remember that an Offer to Lease should not replace a lease agreement. The lease agreement provides more comprehensive terms and conditions for the rental. Consider having a solicitor review your offer if you have any questions before signing and submitting it to a landlord.
Key components of an Offer to Lease
The essential elements of an Offer to Lease include:
- Details of the property: The location, address, and use of the property.
- Lease term: Fixed or indefinite lease term, the start date (and end date, if applicable), and renewal terms.
- Payment terms: Including rent amount, profit payments, tax responsibilities, and the type of rent (e.g., gross, modified gross, or net lease).
- Advance rent and security deposit: Any applicable prepaid rent or the need to provide a security/bond deposit.
- Utilities and expenses: Outlining who is responsible for utilities and service charges.
- Initial fit-out: Any work on the property required before the tenancy, who will pay, and if the tenant can make future improvements.
- Offer expiration: The date the Offer to Lease expires.
When should I use an Offer to Lease?
Prospective tenants can use an Offer to Lease to outline key terms for commercial properties, like:
- Industrial spaces
- Retail spaces
- Warehouses
- Restaurants
- Offices
Please note that LawDepot’s Offer to Lease template is not for residential tenancies. Landlords can vet tenants using a Residential Rental Application and set terms with a Residential Tenancy Agreement.
Is a signed Offer to Lease for commercial property legally binding?
When signed by both the tenant and the landlord, an Offer to Lease may be legally binding as an agreement to lease if it contains all the essential elements of a valid contract. This means that its terms and conditions are enforceable and are typically used as the basis for drafting the formal lease agreement.
It’s important to note that, depending on your jurisdiction, some retail lease legislation requires disclosure of certain information to the tenant 7 to 14 days before the lease is signed.
Here are some examples:
Our template allows you to select whether the space is for retail use or not, ensuring that both parties comply with the applicable disclosure requirements during negotiations and before signing a lease agreement. To learn more about your state or territory’s disclosure requirements, consult a solicitor or look to your local commercial and retail leasing laws.
How to create an Offer to Lease
Use LawDepot’s user-friendly template to complete your Offer to Lease. Select the type of property being leased and its location, then complete the following steps:
1. Determine if this is a retail lease
Select if the lease will be for retail. This information is needed because landlords must include specific disclosures to prospective tenants under retail lease legislation. Simply select 'yes' or 'no' to help customise your offer.
3. Name both parties
Specify whether either party is an individual or an organisation, and add the names and addresses of both the tenant and the landlord.
You must also include an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN) for both parties.
3. Add the property details
Give the address and permitted use of the property the offer is for.
You can add a more detailed description of the premises (e.g., boundaries, size, or a diagram) to help reduce potential disputes.
4. Document the lease terms
Add the terms for the lease, which include:
- The lease term: If it will be a fixed or indefinite term, with the start date (and end date, if applicable).
- Renewal options: If the tenant can renew and use the original lease.
- Payment terms: This includes the rent amount, payment frequency, rent structure (gross, modified gross, or net lease), and whether a tenant will pay a percentage of their profits to the landlord in addition to rent.
- Tenant’s outgoings: How the expenses related to the property will be calculated for the tenant.
- Utilities and expenses: Who will pay for what utilities or expenses for the property.
- Tax responsibilities: If the tenant will be responsible for taxes on the premises, and how they will be paid.
- Advanced rent and deposit: Any prepaid rent or security deposit the tenant will pay.
- Rent review: How the rent review will be determined.
- Initial fit-out: If any initial fit-outs are required and who is responsible for the costs.
As you complete the lease terms, you can also add details about early possession and improvements during the tenancy, if applicable to your offer.
5. Specify the offer details
Next, include any conditions for your lease. This can include whether a lease is subject to the tenant’s solicitor's approval and any additional conditions that must be met before a lease is signed.
You can also include a standard lease form if the landlord has one, and if it will be attached to the offer.
Then, add an expiry date for your Offer to Lease. If the landlord has not accepted it by this date, the offer will expire, and you may need to prepare a new offer, unless you both agree to renew or extend the existing offer.
6. Add the final details
You can include additional terms in your offer for your unique needs. Then, to finalise your offer, select a signing date and sign the document before sending it to the landlord.
Your Offer to Lease will include a section for the landlord to sign and accept your offer. It also provides a space for witnesses to sign while both parties complete their signatures.
Offer to Lease FAQs