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Commercial Lease Agreement Template – Washington
Lease WA commercial premises with defined utility and building service responsibilities.
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Commercial Lease Agreement Template
Building Services Entry Point.
This Commercial Lease Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [Date], by and between:
Landlord: [Full Legal Name], having a mailing address of [Address], hereinafter referred to as the “Landlord.”
Tenant: [Full Legal Name], having a mailing address of [Address], hereinafter referred to as the “Tenant.”
The Landlord and the Tenant may each be referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
Premises.
a. The Landlord hereby leases to the Tenant the commercial property (“Premises”), situated at [Full Property Address and Description (suite number, floor, etc.)].
b. Common Area Rights (if any): [Lobbies], [Restrooms], [Loading], [Parking], subject to reasonable rules.
Utilities and Services.
a. Utilities and services responsibilities are as stated in Module 1.
b. Interruption: Landlord shall not be liable for interruption beyond reasonable control and shall use reasonable efforts to restore service if Landlord is contractually responsible.
c. Tenant shall not overload electrical or mechanical systems and shall use utilities in a commercially reasonable manner.
Permitted Use and Compliance.
a. Permitted Use: [Describe Tenant’s Business/Authorized Use].
b. Tenant shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to Tenant’s use of the Premises.
c. Tenant shall obtain and maintain all necessary licenses and permits for its operations.
Term.
a. The term of this Agreement (“Term”) shall commence on [Commencement Date] and shall expire on [Expiration Date].
b. Holding Over: Possession beyond expiration without written extension is month-to-month on the same terms, except rent shall be [Percentage/Amount] of the then-current rent.
Rent and Additional Rent.
a. Tenant shall pay monthly base rent in the amount of [Rent Amount in USD], due on or before the [Due Date] day of each month, payable by [Payment Method].
b. Lease Structure: [Gross / Modified Gross / Net / Triple Net (NNN)].
c. If additional rent applies, Tenant shall pay [Tenant’s Proportionate Share %] of [Taxes / Insurance / CAM] as invoiced pursuant to [Addendum A / this Section].
d. Late Fee: If amounts are not received within [Grace Period] after the due date, a late fee of [Late Fee Amount or Percentage] may be charged.
Security Deposit.
a. Tenant shall pay a security deposit in the amount of [Security Deposit Amount in USD] before taking possession of the Premises.
b. The security deposit may be applied to damages, unpaid rent, unpaid additional rent, or other charges resulting from Tenant’s breach.
c. Return of any remaining balance shall be handled in accordance with applicable law and this Agreement.
Maintenance and Repairs.
a. Tenant shall keep the Premises in clean and orderly condition and promptly make non-structural repairs necessary due to Tenant’s use or occupancy.
b. Landlord shall be responsible for structural repairs to roof, foundation, and exterior walls, except to the extent caused by Tenant.
c. Tenant shall not make alterations without Landlord’s prior written consent.
Insurance.
a. Tenant shall maintain commercial general liability insurance with coverage of at least [Minimum Coverage Amount], naming Landlord as an additional insured.
b. If applicable, Landlord may maintain property insurance for the structure, the cost of which may be reimbursed by Tenant as additional rent.
c. Each Party releases the other to the extent of insurance proceeds received for covered property damage losses.
Default and Remedies.
a. Tenant is in default if Tenant fails to pay amounts when due or breaches a material term and fails to cure within [Cure Period] after written notice.
b. Upon default, Landlord may terminate this Agreement, retake possession, and pursue remedies available at law or in equity.
c. Enforcement Costs: The breaching Party shall pay reasonable legal fees and costs to the extent permitted by law.
Casualty and Condemnation.
a. If the Premises are damaged by casualty so it becomes substantially unusable, Landlord shall use available insurance proceeds to repair within a reasonable time.
b. If repairs cannot be completed within [Time Frame], either Party may terminate upon written notice.
c. If a governmental authority takes all or a substantial part of the Premises such that it cannot be used for Tenant’s purposes, this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of taking.
Notices and General Terms.
a. Governing Law and Venue: This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington. Any action shall be filed in the state or federal courts located in [County], Washington.
b. Notices shall be in writing and deemed given when delivered personally, sent by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested), or sent by a recognized courier service to the addresses above (or as updated by notice).
c. Entire Agreement; Severability: This Agreement and any addenda are the entire agreement. Invalid provisions do not affect remaining provisions.
Module 1 - Utility Responsibility Matrix.
The matrix below forms part of the Agreement.
Service | Landlord Responsible (Y/N) | Tenant Responsible (Y/N) | Metering/Billing | Notes |
Electric | [Y/N] | [Y/N] | [Separate meter / Allocation method] | [Notes] |
Gas | [Y/N] | [Y/N] | [Separate meter / Allocation method] | [Notes] |
Water/Sewer | [Y/N] | [Y/N] | [Separate meter / Allocation method] | [Notes] |
Trash/Recycling | [Y/N] | [Y/N] | [Vendor / Allocation method] | [Notes] |
Internet/Phone | [Y/N] | [Y/N] | [Provider] | [Notes] |
Module 2 - Sustainability and Building Systems.
a. Building Systems: Tenant shall follow reasonable building procedures regarding HVAC schedules, after-hours requests, and equipment shutdowns if provided in writing.
b. Sustainability Practices (if any): [Recycling procedures], [Energy-saving settings], [Water usage practices], subject to applicable law and property rules.
Module 3 - Evidence and Recordkeeping for Condition.
a. Condition Records: The Parties may document condition at delivery and surrender using [Photo IDs], [Video IDs], and [Inspection report identifier].
b. Retention: Evidence identifiers shall be retained by the Parties for [Retention Period].
Signatures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Commercial Lease Agreement on the dates indicated below.
Landlord: [Landlord Name]
Signature: ______________________________
Name/Title: [Authorized Signatory / Title]
Date: ______________________________
Tenant: [Tenant Name]
Signature: ______________________________
Name/Title: [Authorized Signatory / Title]
Date: ______________________________
Facilities / Operations Reviewer (if any): [Name]
Signature: ______________________________
Date: ______________________________
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Commercial Lease Agreement Template – Washington
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For quick answers, scroll below to see the FAQ.
Click below for detailed info on the template.
For quick answers, scroll below to see the FAQ.
Washington Commercial Lease Agreement Template FAQ
Why use a utility responsibility matrix instead of a long utilities paragraph?
Utilities are a common source of misunderstandings because different services can be separately metered, shared, or bundled into rent. A matrix forces the parties to decide who is responsible for each service and how billing works. It also helps the tenant set up accounts and anticipate recurring costs before move-in. When responsibilities are clear, disputes about outages or unexpected invoices are less likely to escalate. It is especially helpful in multi-tenant buildings where shared services are allocated rather than separately metered.
How should a tenant handle after-hours HVAC or building service needs?
If the building has standard HVAC hours, the tenant should confirm the procedure for after-hours requests and any associated charges. The lease can reference written building procedures so they are easy to update without rewriting the entire agreement. If after-hours access requires security coordination, include the contact method and any lead time required. Clear service rules keep operations smooth and reduce conflict between the tenant, property manager, and other occupants.
What should be included in the additional rent clause under a net structure?
The clause should identify the categories that can be billed, the allocation method for the tenant share, and the billing frequency. If the landlord bills estimates, include a reconciliation timeframe and a deadline for paying any true-up. If certain items are excluded or capped, list that clearly. These details matter because additional rent can materially change the tenant's total occupancy cost even when base rent is stable. If the tenant has review rights, state the process and a reasonable time window to raise objections after reconciliation.
How can the lease reduce disputes about what counts as wear and tear at move-out?
Disputes are reduced when the parties create a shared record of condition at delivery and surrender. That can be done by referencing photo or video identifiers and an inspection record, rather than relying on memory. A short evidence module also helps define what is normal use versus damage for this specific space. If the tenant removes trade fixtures, the lease should address patching and restoration so there is a clear standard for surrender.
Does a commercial lease have to allow assignment or subletting in Washington?
Most commercial leases restrict transfers unless the landlord gives written consent. If the tenant needs flexibility, it can negotiate a clear consent process and specify what information the landlord can request. The lease should also address whether the original tenant remains liable and whether the landlord can require an assumption agreement. Transfer rules that are written clearly protect both sides when the business changes or ownership is restructured. If consent is required, add timing expectations so a request is not left pending indefinitely during a sale or restructuring.
Can AI Lawyer help prepare a lease that matches how a building actually operates?
A lease is strongest when it matches real operations: utility setup, access control, service hours, and maintenance lines. AI Lawyer can help you generate a draft quickly once you know those building facts and the main deal points. The key is to review the draft against the utility matrix, building procedures, and any property rules so the document reflects reality. That practical alignment is often what prevents disputes, even more than perfect legal phrasing.
What should the notice clause accomplish in a commercial lease?
The notice clause should make delivery predictable by stating acceptable methods, the addresses that control, and when a notice is considered received. It should also allow address updates by written notice so the lease stays current if management changes. Because cure periods and termination rights often depend on notice timing, clarity here reduces high-stakes disputes. A well-written notice clause turns deadlines into something both parties can track reliably.
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