How Much Does a Florida Commercial Lease Agreement Cost?
The average cost (i.e., legal fees) for a Florida lawyer to draft a commercial lease agreement is $700.00 [1] on a flat fee basis. The average cost for a Florida lawyer to review a commercial lease agreement is $650.00 [2] on a flat fee basis. These cost points come from recent Florida commercial lease projects on the ContractsCounsel platform.
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What is a FL Commercial Lease?
A commercial lease agreement is a legally binding contract executed between a landlord and a tenant to use a commercial business property. This agreement will lay out the rental terms and describe each party’s rights and obligations under the contract.
Unlike a residential lease which allows a person to rent a home, a commercial space lease is solely for a business. Therefore, these lease agreements have fewer legal protections and negotiable terms and have longer terms and conditions than residential leases.
A commercial lease is an important real estate document that must be drafted correctly. However, it is usually the landlord’s responsibility to provide the lease to the tenant, so many landlords choose to hire a Florida real estate lawyer to draft a commercial lease agreement.
A real estate lawyer familiar with Florida lease agreement laws will ensure that the contract includes all vital information necessary to be legally enforceable.
See Commercial Lease Pricing by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
What's Typically Included in a Florida Commercial Lease Agreement
Commercial lease agreements are usually customized to fit the needs of the landlord and the tenant and will have varying terms and conditions. A basic Florida commercial lease should cover the following essential information:
- Cost of rent. Rent is usually calculated based on the square footage and location of the commercial property. For example, commercial property in downtown Miami will have higher rent than a property in a smaller country town. The cost of rent is also determined by considering whether additional expenses like utilities, taxes, insurance, and repairs are included or covered by the tenant.
- Rent increases. Unlike a residential lease agreement, it is common for commercial leases to include an annual percentage-based rent increase. Tenants can usually negotiate a cap on this increase.
- Security deposit. Landlords have the right to require a security deposit and put a security deposit agreement in place. Therefore, it is important to outline the deposit amount and how it will be returned upon termination of the lease agreement.
- Duration of the lease. Commercial lease agreements are usually longer than residential lease agreements. Therefore, if the tenant wants a shorter lease term, the landlord will typically charge a higher monthly rent.
- Additional expenses. The lease needs to state which party is responsible for the cost of utilities, taxes, repairs, and maintenance.
- Property description. A commercial lease needs to describe the property being rented in detail. For example, some buildings may have bathrooms or shared areas not covered under the lease agreement. A clear description of the property will allow the tenant to know which areas they can access.
- Signage. Commercial property is rented so the tenant can operate their business. A sign is essential for a business, so the lease agreement must include where and how signs can be displayed.
- Use clause. A Use Clause is added to a commercial lease agreement to define how tenants can use the property for their business. This clause protects the landlord and their property from damage and liability.
- Exclusivity clause. Commercial property is uncommon to be a complex that can house several businesses. An exclusivity clause, also known as an exclusivity agreement, protects the tenant because it prevents the landlord from renting space to any potential competitors to the tenant's business.
- Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All businesses in the United States that are open to the public and have more than fifteen employees must comply with the ADA. This means the property must be accessible to people with disabilities. A commercial lease will dictate which party is responsible for updating the property to meet these standards.
Examples of Florida Commercial Lease Agreement Projects
Commercial Lease Agreement Drafting
A landlord who needs a commercial lease agreement drafted for a commercial property in Florida should contact a real estate lawyer.
After an initial consultation that allows the landlord to express what kind of lease agreement they need, the lawyer will draft a commercial lease to fit the landlord's specifications.
A commercial lease agreement needs to be drafted correctly to protect the rights of both the landlord and the tenant. A knowledgeable real estate lawyer will know what clauses should be included in the lease to protect both parties and be legally enforceable under Florida laws.
Commercial Lease Agreement Review
Suppose a tenant is faced with signing a commercial lease agreement, especially a long-term lease. In that case, they may want a lawyer to review the contract first. Lease agreements are almost always drafted by the landlord and tend to favor the landlord's interests more.
Before signing a commercial lease agreement, the tenant should have their attorney review the document to ensure it is fair and protects the tenant's interests.
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Drafting a Florida Commercial Lease Agreement Cost
Drafting a commercial lease agreement can be complicated and time-consuming, especially if negotiations are being made during the drafting process.
According to ContractsCounsel's marketplace data, the average commercial lease agreement drafting costs in Florida are $700.00.
Reviewing a Florida Commercial Lease Agreement Cost
If tenants hire an attorney to review their lease agreement, they will be responsible for the legal fees. However, the lawyer will use their time and expertise to ensure the contract is fair and sometimes even negotiate new terms on the tenant’s behalf.
ContractsCounsel's marketplace data shows the average commercial lease review costs in Florida to be $650.00.
How Do Florida Lawyers Charge for a Commercial Lease?
Hourly Rates for a Commercial Lease
Many lawyers in Florida prefer to bill clients using an hourly rate fee structure. Therefore, the lawyer will provide an hourly rate to be approved by the client and log time in a timesheet.
At the end of the project, the lawyer will send an invoice to the client for the time spent working on the commercial lease agreement. This fee structure ensures that lawyers are paid for their work, especially if the project takes more time than expected.
The marketplace data for ContractsCounsel shows that the average hourly rate for a Florida real estate lawyer ranges from $200 - $350 per hour.
Flat Fee Rates for a Commercial Lease
Flat fee billing structures are becoming increasingly popular for contract drafting projects, like drafting a commercial lease agreement. When using a flat fee rate structure, a lawyer will provide a flat-fee rate to the client for the project to be paid upfront.
The benefit of flat fee billing is that it provides certainty to the client on the project's total cost. It is important to ensure the client knows what’s included with the fee before starting the project, as it may not involve revisions and representation for ongoing negotiations.
ContractsCounsel's marketplace data shows that the average flat fee rate for a commercial lease agreement in Florida costs $650.00.
Get Help with a Florida Commercial Lease Agreement
Do you need help with a Florida commercial lease agreement project? If so, post a project in ContractsCounsel’s marketplace to receive flat fee bids from real estate lawyers who are licensed to practice law in Florida. All lawyers on the ContractsCounsel’s platform are vetted by our team to make sure you are provided with top tier service.
