Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Non-Residential Rental Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

NON-RESIDENTIAL RENTAL AGREEMENT

This Non-Residential Rental Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between the parties identified below for the lease of the Premises described herein. The parties agree to be bound by the terms, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

1. Parties

2. Premises and Identification

3. Term

Lease Commencement Date: , .

Lease Expiration Date: , .

4. Rent and Payments

Base Rent: $ payable in advance on the day of each period.

Interest on overdue sums shall accrue at a rate of from the date due until paid.

Security deposit shall be held as security for performance of Tenant's obligations. Deposit shall be returned within days after termination, less lawful deductions for repairs, unpaid rent or other charges permitted by law or this Agreement.

5. Additional Rent and Operating Expenses

Lease Type (select applicable):

6. Use, Maintenance and Repairs

Tenant shall not make structural alterations or material improvements to the Premises without prior written consent of Landlord. Any approved alterations shall be performed at Tenant's expense and, unless otherwise agreed in writing, shall become the property of Landlord upon expiration and shall be left in good condition.

7. Utilities, Taxes and Assessments

Responsibility for utilities and services:

Responsibility for property taxes and assessments:

8. Insurance and Indemnity

Tenant shall maintain commercial general liability insurance with limits not less than $ per occurrence and property insurance as appropriate. Tenant shall provide certificates of insurance upon request.

Tenant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of Tenant's use or occupancy of the Premises, except to the extent caused by Landlord's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Waiver of subrogation: Each party waives any right of recovery against the other party for loss or damage to the extent covered by insurance.

9. Environmental and Disclosures

Tenant shall not store, generate or dispose of hazardous materials on the Premises except in compliance with law and with Landlord's prior written consent. Tenant shall be solely responsible for remediation of any contamination resulting from Tenant's activities.

Hazardous materials present:

Prior structural or water damage disclosed:

Mold or fungal conditions disclosed:

10. Default and Remedies

An event of default by Tenant shall include failure to pay rent when due, failure to perform any covenant or condition of this Agreement, insolvency, or abandonment of the Premises. Tenant shall have days to cure monetary defaults and a reasonable time to cure non-monetary defaults if curable.

Upon Tenant's default, Landlord may terminate this Agreement, re-enter the Premises, re-let the Premises and seek damages, including unpaid rent, the cost of re-letting and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in enforcing Landlord's rights.

11. Surrender and Holdover

Upon expiration or earlier termination, Tenant shall surrender the Premises in broom clean condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and remove all personal property. Tenant shall be liable for holdover at a rate of until vacated.

12. Entry and Inspection

Landlord and Landlord's agents may enter the Premises at reasonable times to inspect, make repairs or exhibit the Premises to prospective tenants or purchasers. In emergencies Landlord may enter without prior notice.

13. Assignment and Subletting

Tenant shall not assign this Agreement or sublet the Premises, in whole or in part, without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld for a qualified assignee. Any assignment or subletting without consent shall be void and constitute a default.

14. Miscellaneous

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Premises are located.

Entire Agreement: This Agreement, including any addenda executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements. No modification shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties.

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.

Attorneys' Fees: The prevailing party in any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

Lessor (Landlord) - Print Name:

By:

Date:

Lessee (Tenant) - Print Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What a Non-Residential Rental Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Non-Residential Rental Agreement is a legally binding contract that defines the relationship between an owner or landlord and a tenant for commercial, industrial, or other non-residential property. It sets the premises description, term, rent, permitted uses, maintenance responsibilities, insurance and indemnity, default remedies, and any special provisions such as option to renew or tenant improvements. Unlike residential leases, these agreements are negotiated for business needs and may allocate more risk to the tenant. Parties should document corporate authority, guaranties, and any recording or notarization required by local law.

Why a Professional Non-Residential Rental Agreement Matters

A clear, complete agreement reduces disputes, clarifies financial obligations, and preserves enforceability in court or arbitration. It protects property value, establishes risk allocation, and supports financing or subletting decisions.

Why a Professional Non-Residential Rental Agreement Matters

Who Commonly Prepares and Signs These Agreements

Typical parties and users who create or complete non-residential rental agreements include both institutional and individual stakeholders.

  • Landlords and property managers handling commercial portfolios and lease administration.
  • Corporate tenants and sole-proprietor businesses securing office, retail, or industrial space.
  • Brokers, leasing agents, and in-house counsel drafting or reviewing lease terms.

Accurate preparation and proper signature authority streamline occupancy, reduce litigation risk, and facilitate lender or investor review.

Representative Signers and Their Roles

Corporate Tenant

Chief operating officer or authorized corporate officer signs for a business tenant after confirming the board or authorized representative delegation and any required guarantor commitments; ensure corporate resolution or signature authority documents are attached.

Property Manager

Designated property manager or asset manager signs on behalf of the landlord with written authority; documentation of agency or management agreement should accompany the lease for enforceability and third-party reliance.

Security and Compliance Essentials for Electronic Lease Handling

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Data at rest: AES-256 encryption
Audit history: Tamper-evident trail retained
HIPAA readiness: BAA available if required
ESIGN/UETA: Compliant for e-sign validity
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

Top Legal Risks and Consequences to Avoid

Unenforceable Clause: Lease may be voided
Late Payments: Accruing fees and interest
Failure to Record: Priority risk vs third parties
Invalid Signature: Contract challenge risk
Missing Insurance: Exposure for loss
Environmental Liability: Costly remediation obligations

Common Preparation Errors to Watch For

  • Using informal names or abbreviations rather than legal entity names, which can invalidate corporate authority and create enforceability questions.
  • Omitting or vaguely describing the premises (suite, floor, square footage), causing disputes about permitted uses and rent allocation.
  • Failing to specify commencement and expiration dates or early termination rights, which can lead to holdover or payment disputes.
  • Neglecting required insurance or indemnity language and failing to obtain certificates of insurance from tenants or contractors.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete a Non-Residential Rental Agreement

Follow these essential steps to prepare and finalize a commercial lease with clarity and compliance.

  • 01
    Draft terms: Define parties, premises, term, and rent.
  • 02
    Attach exhibits: Include floor plans, rules, and work scopes.
  • 03
    Execute signatures: Obtain authorized signatures and notarize if needed.
  • 04
    Distribute copies: Provide executed copies and retain originals securely.

Where to Send, File, or Submit the Executed Agreement

After execution, deliver and file copies to the stakeholders and any public offices required by state or local law.

  • Deliver to landlord: Original executed copy for property records.
  • Provide to tenant: Tenant receives an executed copy for operations.
  • Record if required: Record leases exceeding local threshold when necessary.
  • Send to lender: Forward to mortgagee or guarantor if requested.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Agreement

A complete non-residential rental agreement organizes rights and obligations clearly and uses exhibits to reduce ambiguity.

Parties

Full legal names, business entity type, and signature authority; include EIN or registration where relevant and attach corporate resolutions or signatory authorizations when an entity signs.

Premises

Precise description of premises, square footage, suite identifiers, and any common-area allocation; attach floor plan and doorway/parking specifics as exhibits to avoid location disputes.

Term

Start date, fixed or month-to-month term, renewal options, and early termination conditions; specify holdover rent and notice periods for non-renewal or termination.

Rent & Payments

Base rent, payments schedule, late fees, security deposit amount, additional charges (CAM, utilities, taxes), and acceptable payment methods with invoice or remittance details.

Maintenance & Repairs

Allocation of repair responsibilities, common area maintenance, and capital improvement obligations; specify who handles structural items versus tenant improvements.

Default & Remedies

Events of default, cure periods, landlord remedies (re-entry, acceleration), and limitations on damages or indemnities; address dispute resolution and attorney fee recovery.

Practical Tips for Accurate, Enforceable Completion

Adopt consistent drafting, checklists, and review steps to reduce risk and speed execution.

Use legal entity names consistently
Verify tenant and landlord names against formation documents and state registration to prevent signature challenges and to confirm signatory authority before execution.
Specify dates and money precisely
Enter dates in MM/DD/YYYY format and state rent figures in both numerals and words to avoid ambiguity and calculation disputes.
Attach supporting exhibits
Include floor plans, insurance requirements, and tenant improvement scopes as numbered exhibits; cross-reference exhibits in the main lease language.
Document authority to sign
Obtain corporate resolutions, power of attorney, or management agreements when an agent, manager, or officer signs on behalf of an entity.

Key Dates and Notice Deadlines to Track

Set calendar reminders for critical deadlines tied to commencement, rent, and statutory notices to preserve rights and avoid penalties.

Lease commencement date:

Date when tenant obligations and landlord duties begin.

Rent due date:

Monthly or periodic payment date and grace period.

Security deposit return:

State-specific timeframe for returning deposits after termination.

Termination notice:

Required notice period for non-renewal or termination.

Cure period:

Number of days to cure defaults before remedies apply.

Transaction Milestones from Negotiation to Occupancy

A milestone view helps coordinate signatures, tenant improvements, inspections, and occupancy logistics.

01

Negotiation

Drafting, term sheet, and counteroffers exchanged.

02

Execution

Final signatures and any required notarization completed.

03

Pre-occupancy

Tenant improvements and inspections finished before move-in.

04

Commencement/Occupancy

Tenant takes possession and rent obligations begin.

How to Configure an Online Completion Workflow

Configure document fields, signer order, and storage rules to simplify execution and auditing for all parties.

Field Configuration
Signature Authentication Email link, SMS code, or advanced signer authentication
Conditional Fields Show or hide clauses by checkbox or role
Reminders & Notifications Automatic reminders and expiration alerts
Storage Location Cloud repository and retention policy

Digital Signing and File Format Requirements

Ensure your eSignature platform supports secure PDFs, audit trails, and integrations with your document repository and business systems before e-executing a lease.

  • Formats supported: PDF, DOCX, and HTML
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Audit data: IP, timestamp, and action log

Real-World Examples of Digital Lease Execution

Organizations of varying size use standardized e-sign workflows to execute leases and manage signed records.

Martin Properties

A mid-size real estate operator moved leasing online to reduce turnaround time.

  • Process simplicity aided mobile and offline signing.
  • The company reported consistent compliance and faster execution across remote tenant interactions while preserving a full audit trail of actions.

Optica Ventures

A small commercial landlord standardized templates for unit leases.

  • Template reuse reduced drafting time and errors.
  • Standardized documents and electronic delivery made it easier for tenants to review, sign, and return agreements without in-person meetings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Residential Rental Agreements

Answers to common questions about signatures, notarization, e-sign validity, and retention for commercial leases.


Need help? Contact support

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Lease Execution

Comparison of representative starting prices and core capabilities across common eSignature providers; signNow appears first per table requirements.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.