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Toronto commercial landlord representation
Find the Right Business Tenant for Your Commercial Property.
Landlord representation for office, retail, industrial and mixed-use property owners across Toronto and the GTA, from market positioning and tenant sourcing to lease negotiation support.
Landlord RepresentationMarket PositioningLease Negotiation Support
Quick answer
What is commercial landlord representation in Toronto?
Commercial landlord representation is a brokerage service in which a real estate professional advocates for a property owner in the business leasing market. The representative helps position and market the space, source prospective business tenants, coordinate discussions and support negotiations toward a commercial lease that reflects the owner’s objectives.
Owner-side advocacy
Your interests represented in the commercial leasing market.
A commercial landlord representative works for the property owner. The assignment begins by understanding the space, its competitive position, the owner’s preferred lease structure and the business uses that may fit the property.
From there, the work can include preparing market-facing information, exposing the vacancy to commercial tenant networks, responding to inquiries, coordinating tours, gathering information from prospective tenants and helping negotiate the business terms of an offer to lease.
This is not residential rental representation. Commercial leasing involves business occupancies, negotiated cost allocations and property-specific terms that can differ substantially from a housing lease.
Property types
Commercial spaces we help position and lease.
Each property type attracts a different tenant audience and calls for a different market story.
Retail & Storefront
Tenant outreach shaped by frontage, visibility, foot traffic, parking, neighbouring uses and trade area.
Industrial & Warehouse
Marketing focused on clear height, shipping, power, yard access, loading and employment-area connectivity.
Mixed-Use
A coordinated approach for commercial units within properties that combine complementary uses.
Multi-Tenant Buildings
Leasing strategy that considers tenant mix, unit positioning, anchor uses and property-wide operations.
Our process
A disciplined path from vacant space to lease execution.
Commercial leasing is rarely one conversation. A structured process keeps the property’s market position and the owner’s priorities clear at each stage.
- 01
Property & market assessment
Review the space, location, physical attributes, permitted use information and current competitive context.
- 02
Marketing & listing exposure
Prepare market-facing details and promote the opportunity through commercial listing channels and tenant networks.
- 03
Tenant sourcing & screening
Respond to inquiries, identify prospective business tenants and collect relevant business and occupancy information.
- 04
Lease negotiation support
Help structure and negotiate key business terms, including rent, term, incentives, conditions and occupancy timing.
- 05
Lease execution
Coordinate accepted terms with the parties and their legal counsel as the commercial lease is prepared and completed.
Commercial leasing guide
Understanding commercial lease structures.
Base rent is only one part of the occupancy cost. The lease structure determines which property expenses remain with the owner and which are paid by the tenant.
Structure 01
Gross Lease
The tenant pays an agreed rent and the landlord generally pays many building operating expenses. Some gross leases include expense increases or other adjustments, so the lease details still matter.
Structure 02
Net Lease
The tenant pays base rent plus one or more categories of property expenses. A net lease can shift taxes, insurance, maintenance or other operating costs in varying combinations.
Structure 03
Triple Net (NNN) Lease
The tenant typically pays base rent plus its proportionate share of property taxes, insurance and operating or maintenance costs. The calculation and exclusions are set by the lease.
What does “additional rent” cover?
Additional rent can include a tenant’s share of property taxes, building insurance, common-area maintenance, utilities, repairs, property management and other operating expenses. Recoverable items, administration fees, capital costs, audit rights and annual reconciliation procedures should be defined in the lease rather than assumed.
Have commercial space available?
Let’s discuss how your property should meet the market.
Ontario leasing context
The Commercial Tenancies Act
Commercial leases in Ontario operate differently from residential leases. They are generally governed by the Commercial Tenancies Act rather than the Residential Tenancies Act, and business lease terms are often more extensively negotiated.
Rent structures, operating-cost recovery, maintenance, repairs, defaults, options, permitted uses and other obligations can be allocated through the lease. Getting those terms right at the outset matters for both the property and the business relationship.
This is general information, not legal advice. A commercial real estate lawyer should review any offer to lease and final lease.
Why representation matters
Commercial leasing decisions extend beyond asking rent.
Market knowledge
A practical view of competing vacancies, asking terms and current demand signals.
Space positioning
A clear story shaped around the business users most suited to the property.
Negotiation support
Attention to rent, term, inducements, conditions, occupancy and other business points.
Network exposure
Commercial channels and direct outreach beyond broad, generic listing sites.
Tenant-mix context
Consideration of anchor, complementary and competing uses in larger properties.
Common questions
Commercial landlord representation FAQ.
These answers provide a starting point. Property-specific terms and legal questions should be reviewed for the particular assignment.
What is commercial landlord representation?
Commercial landlord representation means a real estate broker acts for a property owner in the leasing market. The work can include market positioning, marketing the available space, sourcing prospective business tenants, coordinating inquiries and supporting lease-term negotiations.
How is a commercial lease different from a residential lease in Ontario?
Commercial leases are generally governed by Ontario’s Commercial Tenancies Act, not the Residential Tenancies Act. Business lease terms are more negotiable and can allocate costs, maintenance, repairs and other responsibilities differently, making careful upfront review important.
What is a triple net (NNN) lease?
In a triple net lease, the tenant typically pays base rent plus a proportionate share of property taxes, building insurance and operating or maintenance costs. The exact allocation depends on the lease, so the wording should be reviewed closely.
How long does it typically take to find a business tenant?
Timing varies with property type, location, asking terms, condition, permitted uses and current demand. A focused pricing and marketing strategy can improve market response, but each commercial vacancy follows its own timeline.
Do I need a lawyer to review a commercial lease?
A commercial real estate lawyer should review the lease before it is signed. A broker supports the real estate and business negotiation, while legal counsel advises on legal rights, obligations and the final lease language.
What is ‘additional rent’ in a commercial lease?
Additional rent is an amount charged beyond base rent. Depending on the lease, it may include a tenant’s share of property taxes, insurance, utilities, common-area maintenance, repairs, management costs and other building expenses.
Can you help find a tenant for a multi-unit commercial building?
Yes. The approach can account for the building’s tenant mix, complementary uses, exclusivity clauses, anchor tenants, access, parking and the way each available unit supports the property as a whole.
What property types do you work with?
GetTenant works with Toronto and GTA owners of office, retail and storefront, industrial and warehouse, mixed-use, and multi-tenant commercial properties.
How is pricing or commission structured for commercial leasing?
Commercial leasing fees vary by property, lease structure, market and assignment scope. The proposed fee arrangement is discussed during the initial consultation and documented before representation begins.
What should I prepare before listing my commercial property?
Useful materials include the property address, available area, floor plans, photos, permitted uses or zoning information, asking rent, estimated additional rent, availability date, parking details, building specifications and any existing lease restrictions.
Your broker
Meshesha Robel
REALTOR® · Sutton Group Admiral Realty
Meshesha is an award-winning real estate broker with Sutton Group Admiral Realty, working with clients across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. His commercial landlord representation work is centred on helping owners bring office, retail, industrial and mixed-use opportunities to market with a clear, business-focused approach.
He works directly with owners to understand the property, frame the opportunity for prospective tenants and support the leasing conversation from initial positioning through negotiated business terms.
Property consultation
Bring your commercial vacancy to the right market.
Share the basics of your property. Meshesha can discuss the space, your timing and what a landlord representation approach may involve.