Commercial real estate terminology in Australia can often be confusing, especially if you're new to the scene. The landscape is littered with complex jargon, leaving even the savviest individuals scratching their heads.
Nonetheless, it's important to understand some of the terms you may come across, so here's a handy guide to help you out.
An accounting period is the 12 months ending June 30 (or another period of 12 months specified by the landlord) concerning the lease for recovery of outgoings. It includes any broken periods at the start and end of the lease term.
An assignment is where the entirety of the lease is transferred to a new company, shifting all rights and obligations from the original tenant to the assignee.
Landlords typically have a base date/year in the lease used to calculate increases in their outgoing recoveries from tenants. Generally, all future and past costs are indexed or compared to this year or date. Problems can arise for tenants when the base date does not coincide with the commencement of the lease agreement. Learn more about the base date here.
An industry phrase that means "extending" an existing lease term and "blending" the rental rate that they are paying with a newly negotiated rate and/or terms. Learn more about a blend and extend here.
A building's amenities are features or facilities that offer sitting tenants added comfort, value or convenience.
Some examples of building amenities include end-of-trip facilities, undercover parking, building signage, gyms (or on-site training facilities) and natural environments, like green terraces.
Building outgoings are expenses like rates, levies, taxes, maintenance and repairs resulting from owning a building or premises.
These expenses are usually passed on from the landlord to the tenant/s.
The capitalisation rate (or cap rate) is calculated by dividing a property's net operating income by the current market value.
Property's Net Operating Income / Current Market Value = Cap Rate
This ratio, expressed as a percentage, estimates an investor's potential return on a real estate investment.
Car parking costs are usually charged separately to rent. In some cases, a state government levy (an annual charge implemented by the state Government to help reduce traffic congestion) may apply.
Areas on the premises under the landlord's control but intended for use by the public or sitting tenants.
Rent that accounts for any incentives provided to you as the tenant. Under an effective market rent review, your rent would be lower than it would be under a 'face' market review. Learn more about market rent reviews here.
Face rent is a rent figure that disregards incentives such as rent-free periods, rent reductions (a.k.a rent abatements) and fit-out contributions. You can read more about commercial lease incentives and what to look out for here.
Also known as an 'Act of God' provision, a "force majeure" is a clause in a commercial lease that releases a party from its obligations if affected by an event outside of its control, such as a natural disaster. Post-COVID, some commercial tenants are working with their tenant advisors to get the words "epidemic," "pandemic" or "disease" included within this clause to ensure they're covered in the future.
Fit-out refers to alterations made to a premises, usually at the tenant's expense. The extent of your fit-out requirements will depend on the state of the property (i.e. refurbished, warm shell, fitted-out) and your brand.
Already fitted out your premises but short on space? Follow these great space-saving tips for your office.
An initial, non-binding document that establishes the basic framework for a formal lease. The agreement is the first step toward creating a contract and can be renegotiated or revoked.
Commercial lease incentives are payments or concessions offered by a landlord to:
Incentives can come in many forms and vary across Australia, depending on market conditions. The most common types are rent-free periods, rent abatements and fit-out contributions.
Landlord works are any works carried out on the premises by the landlord regarding the tenancy or building (for example, lobby refurbishment).
The lease term is the amount of time the lease is in effect. For offices, 3-5 years is standard however the term can be longer or shorter depending on your negotiations with the landlord.
Legal costs are expenses associated with legal representation during lease negotiations or disputes.
When it comes to commercial leases, both parties will pay their own legal costs unless otherwise specified in your lease.
A make good provision is a clause in a lease that requires a tenant to return a property to its original condition before handing back the keys.
Make good clauses require tenants to remove their property from the space and leave the area clean and tidy. Further obligations may include:
Here's a great article regarding how to make good at the end of a commercial lease and avoid landlord disputes.
The net lettable area is the property's internal floor area, according to the industry standard set by the Property Council of Australia. It doesn't include toilets, service ducts, stairways or elevators.
Net rent: the base amount of rent payable. Tenants may be required to pay additional expenses called outgoings (see definition of outgoings further down)
Gross rent: The Gross rent is usually higher than the Net rent as it includes the net rent and outgoings.
Are you looking to dig into these terms further? Read our article: "Net, Gross, Face & Effective Rent: What's The Difference?"
An option to renew is a clause that allows a tenant to extend their lease terms beyond the initial lease period.
It could be anywhere from one year up to the original lease term. As a tenant, you are not forced to exercise your option and, in a tenant's market, we often advise against it.
An option to terminate is not standard in lease agreements, but it can be added to your contract upfront while negotiating lease terms with the landlord. The termination clause will outline the reasons a party could terminate the lease before the end of the lease term and the conditions to do so.
You can learn about more ways to break a commercial lease here.
The permitted use clause in a lease tells you how you are allowed to use the premises. Stipulations are usually broken down in a lease schedule, letter of offer or heads of agreement.
Rent reviews usually occur annually in line with the market; however, it will only ever be an increase.
Your lease may specify that the rent is reviewed in one of three ways (we've defined all three in this article):
Rent reviews often trip up tenants because the process and terminology are vague. And this is especially true when differentiating between 'face' and 'effective' rent reviews. Commercial tenants, especially those new to leasing, often need help understanding the difference between the two.
Tenants must pay a security deposit (similar to a bond on residential properties) or a bank guarantee, which usually amounts to 3-12 month's rent.
Stamp duty is a duty or tax imposed by the State Government on particular transactions.
When it comes to commercial leasing, you will be required to pay stamp duty if you make a lump sum payment to your landlord to secure your lease. You will also be required to pay stamp duty on the assignment or transfer of a lease.
Stamp duty rules may vary from state to state. Here's more information about when you'll be required to pay stamp duty on a commercial lease in NSW.
In commercial leases, both parties will pay their own stamp duty.
Agreement where an existing tenant (sublessor) leases out all or part of their space to another party (sublessee).
You can learn more about the pros and cons of subleasing here.
Voluntary termination of the lease by the tenant, usually in exchange for a lump sum payment to the landlord (expect to pay 80-100% of the remaining lease term).
Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applied to rent payments. This is a tax from the Government, not the landlord.
Individuals (e.g. employees, agents, contractors) who are authorised to act on behalf of the tenant.
Tenant works are any works carried out on the premises by the tenant—for example, installing a new fit-out. Most commercial leases require a tenant to seek the landlord's written consent.
Utilities refer to water and electricity costs. Electricity is usually billed directly by the energy provider, but water may be included in the outgoings (see above).
The Property Council of Australia define a WALE as 'the weighted average lease term remaining to expire across a portfolio'; it can be weighted by rental income or square metres.
Workplace strategy aligns a workplace's physical environment and infrastructure with a company's goals, culture, and ideal way of working.
If you do not have the time or expertise to navigate the complexities of commercial leasing, then hiring a tenant advisor is a smart move.
A tenant advisor acts exclusively for tenants with no conflicts of interest. They give tenants the upper hand in lease negotiations and assist with communication with landlords and agents.
The team at Tenant CS bring years of experience in the Australian market.
Book a call with one of our team members to see how we can help you!
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