Landlord and Tenant Obligations

• Commercial tenancy agreements differ from residential agreements in that landlords are not automatically responsible for paying for any major or minor repairs needed during the term of the tenancy. The tenancy agreement must clearly indicate the responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant in terms of repair, maintenance, property-tax payments and other related costs.
  
  

Tenancy Length

• The length or term of a commercial tenancy can be anywhere from one month to more than a year, but six-month or one-year agreements are the most common. During the tenancy term, the landlord may raise the monthly rent at any time without notice unless the lease agreement clearly specifies otherwise.
  
  

Rental Space Specifications

• Square footage is an important criterion used by landlords to determine the price of a commercial rental property. As such, the square footage of the commercial space being rented, including hallways, elevators and bathrooms, must be included in the tenancy agreement.