Commercial Lease Lawyer Melbourne

Signing a commercial lease is one of the biggest financial commitments a business will make. Whether you're a landlord leasing out premises or a tenant setting up shop, the fine print matters. At Wollerman Shacklock Lawyers, we help Melbourne businesses understand exactly what they're agreeing to, negotiate fair terms, and sort out disputes when things don't go to plan.

Our principal solicitor, Patricia Sheedy (Trish), is one of the few Accredited Property Law Specialists in Victoria. That means when you work with our firm, a genuine specialist guides your matter. As your commercial lease lawyer in Melbourne, we protect your interests from day one.

Commercial Leasing Services for Melbourne Landlords and Tenants

We act for both sides of the table across Melbourne and the wider City of Casey corridor. Every lease is different, so we take the time to understand your commercial goals before drafting or reviewing a single clause.

Our commercial lease services include:

  • Drafting new commercial and industrial lease agreements.

  • Reviewing leases before you sign.

  • Negotiating rent, outgoings, make-good clauses and options to renew.

  • Lease renewals, variations and assignments.

  • Disclosure statements under the Retail Leases Act 2003.

  • Transfer of leases during a business sale or purchase.

  • Resolving breaches, rent disputes and bond recovery.

  • Advice on terminating or surrendering a lease.

Commercial Lease Agreements Done Properly

A commercial lease isn't a one-size-fits-all document. Warehouse tenants face different risks than office tenants, and a café lease raises issues a professional suite never will. We tailor every agreement to reflect the reality of the premises, the business, and the relationship between the parties. If you're reviewing a lease the other side has drafted, we'll flag anything unusual, one-sided, or potentially problematic before you put pen to paper.

Retail Lease Lawyer Services

If your premises fall under the Retail Leases Act 2003, specific obligations apply, including disclosure requirements, restrictions on certain costs, and minimum five-year terms. As a knowledgeable retail lease lawyer, we make sure landlords meet their statutory duties and tenants aren't charged for things they legally shouldn't be. Victoria regulates retail tenancies heavily, and small oversights can become expensive mistakes. We catch them early.

Lease Disputes and Negotiations Across Melbourne

Even well-drafted leases can turn sour. Rent reviews go wrong. Repairs get argued over. Make-good obligations become a fight at the end of the term. When that happens, you need a commercial lease lawyer who can move quickly and think commercially.

Common lease disputes we handle include:

  1. Unpaid rent or outgoings.

  2. Disputes over repairs, maintenance and outgoings apportionment.

  3. Unreasonable refusal of consent to assign or sublet.

  4. Make-good and end-of-lease condition disagreements.

  5. Claims before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Where possible, we'll resolve the matter through negotiation or mediation. Litigation is rarely the cheapest option, and we'll tell you honestly when it's worth pursuing and when it isn't.

Why Choose Wollerman Shacklock Lawyers

We're a small, deliberate firm based in Clyde North, servicing clients right across Melbourne. Choosing us means choosing genuine specialist knowledge without the corporate runaround.

  • Accredited Property Law Specialist: Trish is one of roughly 75 Accredited Property Law Specialists in Victoria, giving you real depth of knowledge in lease and property matters.

  • Fixed-fee transparency: We tell you what things cost upfront. No surprises, no drip-feed billing.

  • Honest, straight-talking advice: We tell you how it is, not what you want to hear. If a clause is a bad deal, we'll say so.

  • Core values across the whole team: Equality, respect and integrity aren't wall art; they shape how every member of our team treats your matter.

  • Local knowledge with wider reach: We understand the Melbourne and City of Casey market, and we respond to most enquiries within one business day.

We're also proud of the relationships we've built: 85% of our new work comes through referrals, and 75% of our clients come back when they need legal help again.

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Common Questions About Commercial Lease Lawyers in Melbourne

  • Yes. A conveyancer isn't legally qualified to give advice on commercial leases, and standard templates often favour whoever drafted them. A short review upfront can save tens of thousands in disputes later on.

  • The Retail Leases Act 2003 governs retail leases, which apply to most premises used for the sale of goods or services to the public. Commercial leases cover everything else, including warehouses, factories and most office premises. The legal protections differ significantly, which is why getting the classification right matters.

  • At Wollerman Shacklock, we quote fixed fees upfront for most lease work. You'll know the cost before we start, so no surprise bills land when the job finishes.

  • Absolutely. We act for both. What we won't do is act for both sides of the same transaction; that's a conflict. Across our client base, we represent property owners, investors, franchisors, small business tenants and national operators.

  • A make-good clause requires a tenant to restore the premises to their original state at the end of the lease, which can mean removing fit-out, repainting, replacing flooring, or repairing walls. The cost can be substantial after a long tenancy. We review make-good clauses carefully and often negotiate more practical alternatives, such as cash settlements or a reduced scope of works, before the lease is signed.

  • Lease assignment involves transferring your lease obligations to a new tenant, usually as part of a business sale. You need landlord consent, and the lease may impose conditions on who can take it over. Importantly, you may remain personally liable if the incoming tenant defaults, unless the landlord formally releases you. We review the assignment deed, advise on ongoing exposure, and make sure the process is documented correctly.

  • This depends entirely on the lease terms. Some leases require tenants to pay all outgoings such as rates, water, insurance, maintenance, while others limit this to specific costs. Many commercial leases describe outgoings broadly, which can lead to unexpected bills during the annual reconciliation. We identify and explain all outgoing provisions before you sign so there are no surprises.

  • Breaking a commercial lease before its end date can expose you to significant liability, including rent until the premises are re-let and the landlord's re-letting costs. Options may include subletting (if the lease permits), negotiating a surrender with the landlord, or exercising any early termination clause. We review your lease and explain your realistic options, including the likely cost of each path.

Speak With a Melbourne Commercial Lease Lawyer Today

Whether someone has handed you a lease to sign tomorrow, you're renegotiating an option, or you're staring down a dispute with a tenant or landlord, don't sign or settle anything without a proper review. A short conversation now can save a lot of stress (and money) later.

Get in touch with Wollerman Shacklock Lawyers to book an appointment with Trish and the team:

Our office has on-site parking and wheelchair-accessible entry, so dropping in is easy. Reach out today and get a commercial lease lawyer in Melbourne who'll treat your matter like it matters, because it does.