Before you negotiate a commercial lease for your business, you need to understand the potential terms and clauses used in the lease agreement before and during discussions with a landlord.

Before reviewing the agreement, however, first make sure that you are listed properly as one of the parties. Though many people do not take a close look at this, it can be important in the future. For example, if a couple opens a business together, are both of their names on the lease? Is she represented by her married or her maiden name? Should the couple separate, this could be an important point of contention. Also, if the company is a corporation or an LLC, the company name — and not your personal name — should appear on the lease since a corporation operates as a separate entity. You, as an individual, want to avoid liability. Review these points with your attorney.

It is also important to evaluate and discuss the length of the lease agreement, the cost of rent each month, and how often and by how much the rent can be raised. Remember, all terms in a lease should be open to negotiation.