Leases are legal contracts that can affect your finances, your property, or your business for years to come. Whether you’re a landlord drafting a new lease or a tenant preparing to sign one, it’s important to fully understand the terms before moving forward. At Yaqubie Law, we take a thorough, practical approach to lease preparation and review. We’ll make sure your agreement is clear, fair, and tailored to your goals.
What’s Included in Lease Preparation
Preparing a lease isn’t about using a one-size-fits-all form. We draft leases that reflect your unique situation, whether you’re renting out a two-family home or leasing commercial space to a retail tenant. Every detail counts.
We’ll make sure to include terms that:
- Spell out rent amount, payment due dates, and grace periods
- Describe who is responsible for repairs and maintenance
- Outline security deposit handling and return procedures
- Set clear rules about occupancy, pets, and use of the property
- Provide a process for renewals, modifications, or early termination
For commercial leases, we often include additional provisions covering:
- Construction responsibilities or tenant improvements
- Percentage rent or common area maintenance (CAM) charges
- Options for assignment or subleasing
- Signage rights and business use restrictions
Before finalizing anything, we’ll speak with you to understand the nature of the property, your expectations, and your long-term plans.
What to Look for During Lease Review
If you’re presented with a lease someone else drafted, you may not know what to watch for, or what’s missing. We can review the lease carefully and explain what each section means in plain English.
Our review process looks for:
- One-sided or vague terms that could create confusion or risk
- Unexpected fees, penalties, or automatic increases in rent
- Clauses that conflict with your understanding of the deal
- Terms that may be out of step with New York landlord-tenant law
In commercial leases, we’ll also flag provisions that could affect your business, such as:
- Personal guarantees that extend your liability beyond the lease
- Restrictions on operating hours, signage, or types of services offered
- Exclusive use clauses and how they impact your competitive position
We’ll also let you know which terms can often be negotiated and help you request changes that better protect your interests.
How We Help Landlords
If you’re a property owner, a well-drafted lease helps you avoid disputes and keep your rental running smoothly. We can create leases that work for residential tenants, commercial tenants, or both, whether you’re renting a single unit or managing a multi-tenant building.
When you work with us, we’ll:
- Draft a lease that complies with New York and local housing laws
- Include terms that give you flexibility while protecting your investment
- Set out clear rules for rent collection, late fees, and eviction procedures
- Update your lease to reflect current legal requirements and case law
For landlords with multiple properties, we can also provide standardized lease templates tailored to different types of tenants or property uses.
How We Help Tenants
As a tenant, signing a lease can feel like a take-it-or-leave-it situation. But in many cases, you have the right to ask questions, request changes, or walk away from a deal that doesn’t make sense. We’ll provide you with the information and support you need to make an informed decision.
We help residential and commercial tenants by:
- Reviewing leases before you sign
- Explaining legal language and identifying red flags
- Helping you request reasonable changes to unfair terms
- Clarifying your responsibilities under the lease and what to expect if problems arise
If you’re leasing office or retail space, we can also review letters of intent and assist with lease negotiations to make sure your business is protected from day one.
Serving Garden City and the Greater Long Island Area
From our office in Garden City, we assist clients throughout Nassau County and nearby communities. Our clients include residential landlords, small businesses, individual renters, and commercial property owners. Whether you’re reviewing a lease for a new apartment or finalizing terms on a storefront lease, we can support you every step of the way.
Contact an Experienced Garden City Lease Preparation & Review Attorney
Before you sign or offer a lease, let us review it. We’ll help you understand what you’re agreeing to and point out anything that could cause issues later. At Yaqubie Law, we believe clear contracts make for better relationships and fewer legal problems.
Call us today to schedule a lease consultation or request assistance with a residential or commercial lease.