When your office lease comes up, you have an opportunity to find better space, a better deal or both. Even if you stay in the same place, you could still end up with more than you expect -- as long as you follow this checklist.

Commercial leases are complex documents that can be tedious to comb through; however, skimming over the clauses can be a costly mistake. Landlords often place language that restricts tenants' rights or passes along unnecessary or excessive costs, so it's vital that you carefully read the entire document and have an attorney peruse it. To help you get started scouring your lease for potential "gotchas," here are seven things that you should look for:

Finding the perfect office space is just the start of getting the best lease for your company. Without a fair lease agreement, you could find yourself faced with unexpected costs, paying too much for your space or restricted in ways that interfere with your daily operations. To ensure that you are signing the right lease on the perfect space, follow these tips:

When you're preparing to move into new commercial office space, you have a big list of tasks on your to-do list to complete; however, while you're prepping for the move, it's vital that you don't forget about the lease itself. Doing all of the following before you sign the lease and move into your new space will help to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

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Whether you own a startup or represent a large company that's moving to a new location, you want to make sure you get a fair lease for your new office space. Landlords naturally have their own interests in mind, so it's important that you remain vigilant and come armed to negotiations with the right information. Following these tips will help you get the best possible deal from your new lease agreement:

You can't be certain that you're getting a fair deal on a lease for new commercial office space if you don't fully understand the terminology used in the document. Familiarizing yourself with the following often-confusing terms can help you interpret what you're reading and feel confident when you add your signature to the contract.