Define the ownership objective

Start with the property plan, not the tenant’s first proposal. Record the owner’s timing, income priorities, willingness to fund improvements, and any sale, refinancing, or repositioning considerations that the renewal could affect.

Build a verified starting point

Bring together the current lease, amendments, notice provisions, rent schedule, options, deposits, guarantees, operating-expense treatment, and unresolved obligations. Ask the owner’s legal and financial advisers to confirm the provisions that matter to the decision.

Understand the tenant’s position

Clarify the space the tenant needs, its timing, any requested improvements, and the business reason for the proposed terms. Separate confirmed requirements from negotiating positions and assumptions.

Compare renewal and replacement on the same basis

Model the renewal and a reasonable replacement scenario over the same period. Include proposed rent, concessions, landlord work, commissions, expected downtime, retained expenses, and execution dependencies. Review tenant credit and guarantees separately from the cash-flow comparison.

Finish with a decision record

State the selected path, the assumptions used, the items still requiring verification, the people responsible, and the next decision date. If negotiations pause, identify the event or new evidence that should bring the decision back for review.

General considerations for a property discussion. Property-specific decisions depend on verified information and the relevant professional advice.

All owner perspectives