Nine things to check before signing a commercial lease in Gurugram

1. Lock-in versus notice

These are separate clauses and landlords sometimes rely on tenants conflating them. A three-year lock-in with a six-month notice is not a three-year commitment.

2. What the escalation is applied to

15% every three years on base rent is very different from 15% on the gross outgoing.

3. CAM inclusions

Ask for the CAM schedule line by line before signing, not after.

4. Fit-out rent-free

Rent-free should start on handover of a compliant shell, not on the date of the agreement.

5. Parking, in writing

Verbal parking assurances have no value at renewal.

6. Power backup basis

Confirm whether backup covers your floor load or only common services.

7. Reinstatement

Understand what you must strip out at exit. It can run to lakhs.

8. Assignment and sub-let

If there is any chance of a group restructuring, negotiate this at the start.

9. Occupancy certificate

Never take handover of a floor in a building without one.