Fees can vary based on the complexity of your lease and your issue. West Perth Legal offers competitive and transparent fee structures, often fixing our fees to provide you with certainty. Clients will not be asked to pay for our services unless they first agreed to the price, payment terms and scope of work.

We typically follow the steps below with our clients:

1. First, we seek to understand your matter and determine the scope of work. Contact us with your query or document requiring review, we will then assess and provide you with a fee proposal for the scope of work.
2. Once you accept our quote, and provide funds in our trust account, we will collect the required information from you and begin work.
3. Our findings and advice will be sent to you for comment and questions.
4. We will work with you to answer any questions you may have, and finalise any documents required to complete the work.

Yes, lease terms are often negotiable. The specific terms or restrictions which may be up for negotiation include the rent amount, rent increases, the duration of the lease, option periods, the modifications you can make to the property and whether you can transfer or assign the lease.

In Western Australia, the key difference between a commercial lease and a retail lease lies in the type of premises, the applicable laws, and tenant protections. Retail leases are regulated under the Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreements Act 1985 (WA). A retail lease specifically applies to properties that are intended for retail activities, such as storefronts, shopping centres, malls, or individual retail spaces within mixed-use developments. The legislation provides certain protections for tenants and requires the landlord to make certain disclosure requirements.

A commercial lease applies to properties used for business purposes, such as offices, warehouses, or industrial spaces. Commercial leases offer more flexibility in negotiations, as they are not subject to strict regulations. Landlords and tenants have the freedom to agree on terms regarding rent, outgoings, and lease duration without mandatory protections.

If you are not sure what type of lease applies to your property, our leasing lawyers can help.

This depends on your situation and your business goals. Some of our tips are:

• If you’re a new business, check that the length of the lease suits you, as many landlords prefer to lock in a longer lease.
• There are several ways to calculate rental increases so make sure you understand and agree to the way(s) chosen by your landlord.
• Read the section on property improvements very carefully as it should set out who can make changes, who pays for the modifications and whether you must return the property to its original condition at the end of the lease.
• Make sure the lease includes all the areas you expect to use including bathrooms, parking areas and common areas.
• Be careful that the lease doesn’t stop you from erecting signs in certain areas.

Please seek legal advice before you make any commitments, including signing an offer, paying a deposit, or commencing renovations or works at the property.

For retail leases, you may find the leasing guides by the Small Business Development Corporation helpful.