Tenant Representation
The landlord has a broker whose job is the landlord’s outcome. Tenant representation puts a professional on your side of the table — and in most deals, the landlord’s fee structure pays for it.
What a tenant rep actually does
- Surveys the whole market — including space that isn’t publicly listed, which in a market our size is a meaningful share of what’s available.
- Creates competition for your tenancy — landlords sharpen their numbers when they know you have real alternatives.
- Negotiates past the rate — free rent, tenant-improvement allowances, renewal options, caps on operating-cost pass-throughs, and exit flexibility often matter more than the headline rent.
- Manages the timeline — space searches take longer than people expect; starting 9–12 months before lease expiration preserves your leverage.
What it costs you
Typically nothing. Commercial landlords build brokerage fees into their deal economics and the fee is shared with the tenant’s broker — the same money is spent whether or not someone in the room is advocating for you.
When to call
The best time is before you’ve toured anything — once a landlord’s broker registers you as their prospect, your representation options can narrow. A renewal is also a negotiation: incumbents win better terms when the landlord believes they might leave.