Define the requested outcome
Ask for a clear description of the tenant’s intended use, the work requested from the landlord, the work the tenant will control, and the target opening or occupancy date. Distinguish a preliminary concept from an approved plan and scope.
Verify the starting condition
Record the space’s current condition, available plans, building systems, known restrictions, and any existing work that may remain useful. Confirm relevant facts with the owner’s property, construction, legal, insurance, and other advisers before relying on them.
Compare the full economic commitment
Review the requested allowance or landlord work alongside rent, concessions, term, expected downtime, commissions, retained expenses, and other owner obligations over the same analysis period. Keep the financial comparison separate from credit, guarantee, legal, and operational judgments.
Map responsibility and dependencies
Identify who prepares plans, obtains required approvals, performs each part of the work, controls access, verifies completion, and bears the consequence of delay or cost changes. Do not treat an estimate, schedule, or approval as final until its status and source are confirmed.
Finish with a documented decision
State what the owner is prepared to fund or perform, the assumptions behind that decision, the unresolved items, the person responsible for each next action, and the next review date. The record should support negotiation without replacing the lease, construction documents, or professional advice.
General considerations for a property discussion. Property-specific decisions depend on verified information and the relevant professional advice.
All owner perspectives