Are you interested in purchasing a commercial lease property, but are unsure of the responsibilities that come with it? For example, who pays the legal fees for a commercial lease? Or who pays outgoings in a commercial lease?
If these are questions that you’d like answered, NZ Commercial Property Brokers has got you covered. We explain what you need to know about commercial lease responsibilities in this blog – so, don’t stop reading!
What is a Commercial Lease?
A commercial lease is a legally binding contract between a tenant and a landlord, granting the tenant the right to use a commercial property that the landlord owns. In return, the tenant must pay rent.
It’s worth noting that there can be different types of commercial leases, with varying responsibilities and obligations for both the tenant and landlord. As a result, it’s always important to read the fine print before agreeing to any contract.
Commercial Lease Responsibilities as a Tenant

As mentioned above, your responsibilities as a commercial lease tenant can depend on the type of contract that you have with your landlord. Nevertheless, there are still common responsibilities that most, if not all, tenants have – which are:
- Paying rent on time
- Ensuring the property is in good condition – whether you or your landlord pays for maintenance is dependent on the contract
- Reporting (and/or repairing – dependent on lease terms) maintenance issues promptly
- Adhering to the lease terms
- Prioritising the health and safety of persons within the commercial property, which can include yourself, employees, and any customers/visitors – installing fire safety systems etc.
Before signing a lease contract, we advise you to seek the advice of professionals (like ourselves) who can guide you through the terms and help you better understand whether the lease contract is right for you and your business.
Now that you know the answer to questions like, “Who is responsible for fire safety in a commercial lease?”, rest assured that NZ Commercial Property Brokers can help with managing your commercial property and ensuring that it complies with necessary standards and rules. This includes helping fulfil your commercial lease responsibilities as the tenant. Browse through our selection of commercial lease properties, or simply get in touch with us to learn more about our services and how we can help.