Lease negotiation checklist (India)
Negotiate your office lease with a total-cost mindset, not just the base rent.
Use this checklist to identify hidden costs, reduce lock-in risk, and create better exit and renewal terms.
This checklist is for operational and negotiation readiness. It is not legal advice. Always have your lease deed reviewed by a qualified lawyer before signing. Lease terms vary by city, asset class, and landlord policy.
Is this the right resource for you?
Founders signing a first office lease
Use this if you want to avoid expensive lock-ins and unclear exit terms.
Ops/HR teams planning a long-term HQ
Use this if you need predictable costs and clear maintenance responsibilities.
Teams shifting from managed offices to leases
Use this if you are moving from office-as-a-service to a conventional lease.
What you will get
Lease negotiation checklist (PDF)
A step-by-step list of clauses, costs, and questions to ask before you sign.
Negotiation tracker (Spreadsheet)
Track offers, counter-offers, and final negotiated outcomes.
TCO worksheet
A simple worksheet to estimate total cost of occupancy beyond base rent.
A simple negotiation framework
Decide your non-negotiables
Location, size, budget ceiling, move-in deadline, access needs, and minimum lease flexibility.
Negotiate total cost, not just rent
Base rent, CAM, deposits, fit-out, escalation, parking, utilities, taxes, and handover costs.
Protect your downside
Exit clauses, lock-in reduction, sub-lease rights where possible, and clear restoration terms.
Lock operational details
Maintenance, access, security, handover condition, signage, parking, and proof trail.
What we cover
Total cost of occupancy components
Use this section to avoid surprises beyond base rent.
Monthly rent
Usually negotiable with tenure, lock-in, rent-free period, and fit-out responsibilities.
Security deposit
Often multiple months of rent. Amount, refund timing, and deductions are deal dependent.
Common Area Maintenance
Monthly maintenance costs. Check scope, exclusions, caps, audits, and annual increases.
Build and setup costs
Civil, electrical, furniture, networking, signage, restoration, and landlord approval costs.
Utilities and internet
Metered charges, backup power, internet contracts, HVAC terms, and usage restrictions.
Parking and access
Paid parking, visitor arrangements, loading access, after-hours access, and building protocols.
Want Xporate to negotiate your lease?
We help you shortlist properties, benchmark deals, and negotiate terms to reduce your total cost of occupancy.
Leasing negotiation support
01
What should I negotiate first: rent or lock-in?
02
What is CAM and why does it matter?
03
Do I need legal review of the lease deed?
04
Can Xporate help with the negotiation process?
get in touch
Negotiate the lease before it becomes expensive
Tell us your city, area requirement, move-in window, preferred lease term, and any shortlisted buildings. We will help benchmark the deal and plan the negotiation.