Advice from business leaders and industry experts
Dispute Resolution Services, Victorian Small Business Commission | 13 July 2018
If you are entering into a retail lease it is important to know all your rights ahead of time. A retail lease is an important, enforceable and legally binding document. It’s a good idea to seek out advice from an experienced lawyer who specialises in leasing law before you sign anything.
However, by thoroughly understanding these four considerations, you will gain the confidence to engage in lease negotiations. You’ll also know how to speak to your lawyer about your retail lease if you choose to engage one.
A lease is entered into when:
A tenant should not do any of these things unless they are completely happy to go ahead with the lease.
Read: Retail lease and commercial disputes
When a landlord and tenant begin to negotiate the terms of a lease, the landlord must give the tenant a Victorian Small Business Commission information brochure about retail leases as well as a proposed lease (at this stage the copy of the lease does not need to contain the rent or term).
Later, at least 7 days before entering into a lease, landlords must give a retail tenant a disclosure statement and the completed proposed lease. A disclosure statement also needs to be given to a tenant when a lease is being renewed.
A disclosure statement includes important financial information. This includes rent, outgoings and other obligations. If you are a tenant, make sure you look carefully at the details of this disclosure statement as it may have a big impact on the viability of your business.
Read: Lease a business premises
A retail lease deals with many matters. Make sure the following features are acceptable to you:
Read: Understand a lease agreement
The Retail Leases Act contains requirements that override a lease such as requiring landlords to:
Retail leases are incredibly important for any retail business and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Any retail business owner should read a lease back to front before signing. It’s also important to seek out legal advice if there’s anything in a retail lease you’re unsure of.
This simple retail lease fact sheet helps tenants understand their rights and responsibilities. It includes an easy to read checklist to guide you through what you need to understand and what you should look out for.
For more information on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or landlord you can visit the Victorian Small Business Commission website.
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Mark Schramm
Senior Manager | Dispute Resolution Services, Victorian Small Business Commission
For more information on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or landlord you can visit the Victorian Small Business Commission website.
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