Commercial Lease
Understand commercial leases in Canadian real estate, how they work, what types exist, and what business owners and landlords must consider.

June 13, 2025
What is a Commercial Lease?
A commercial lease is a legally binding agreement between a landlord and a tenant for the rental of property used for business purposes, such as offices, retail, or industrial spaces.
Why Commercial Leases Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, commercial leases differ significantly from residential leases in terms of negotiation, customization, and legal complexity.
Common commercial lease types:
- Gross lease: landlord pays most expenses
- Net lease: tenant pays base rent plus some expenses
- Triple net lease (NNN): tenant pays all operating costs
Commercial leases often involve longer terms, tenant improvements, and clauses for renewal, assignment, and termination.
Understanding commercial leases is critical for business owners, landlords, and investors managing risk, obligations, and occupancy rights.
Example of a Commercial Lease in Action
The business signs a five-year commercial lease with renewal options and tenant improvement allowances for their downtown retail store.
Key Takeaways
- Used for leasing business and retail spaces
- Often longer and more complex than residential leases
- Includes various lease types with cost-sharing structures
- Key for occupancy rights and investment planning
- Requires legal review and negotiation
Related Terms
- Triple Net Lease
- Gross Lease
- Tenant Improvements
- Lease Agreement
- Zoning

7211 Greenford Avenue in Burnaby. (Arcadis, OpenForm Properties)
The phasing and overview of the proposal for 7211 Greenford Avenue. (Arcadis, OpenForm Properties)
Renderings of the proposal for 7211 Greenford Avenue in Burnaby. (Arcadis, OpenForm Properties)
Renderings of the low-rise building planned for 7211 Greenford Avenue in Burnaby. (Arcadis, OpenForm Properties)







Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 
15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)





Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)



















