Due DiligencePDF, Excel

Lease Comparison Template

A side-by-side lease comparison template for evaluating multiple lease proposals or comparing an existing lease against a proposed renewal or alternative space. This template structures the comparison across economic, operational, and legal dimensions to support objective space selection decisions. It is particularly useful when comparing NNN, gross, and modified gross lease structures.

By Angel Campa, Founder · Updated March 2026

Who Uses This & When

Used by corporate real estate teams, tenant brokers, and occupancy planners when evaluating two or more lease options, or when comparing a renewal proposal against a new space alternative.

Checklist Items (14)

  1. 1Document total occupancy cost per RSF per year for each option (base rent + CAM + insurance + taxes)
  2. 2Compare lease term length, commencement date, and expiration date for each option
  3. 3Evaluate tenant improvement allowance as a per-RSF amount and total buildout cost impact
  4. 4Compare free rent periods and calculate net present value of each option
  5. 5Assess renewal options: number of options, term length, rent basis (fixed vs. market)
  6. 6Compare termination options: availability, timing, and penalty calculations
  7. 7Evaluate CAM structure: gross vs. NNN, exclusions, caps, and audit rights
  8. 8Compare security deposit requirements and whether a letter of credit is required
  9. 9Assess assignment and subletting flexibility for each option
  10. 10Compare parking ratio, cost, and reserved vs. unreserved allocation
  11. 11Evaluate location factors: proximity to labor pool, clients, transit, and amenities
  12. 12Calculate broker commission and transaction costs for each option
  13. 13Assess landlord financial stability and building quality for each option
  14. 14Score each option and document final recommendation with supporting rationale

Related Lease Fields

Lextract automatically extracts these fields from your lease PDF — eliminating the manual data collection underlying this checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I compare a gross lease to an NNN lease on an apples-to-apples basis?

Convert both to total occupancy cost per RSF. For a gross lease, the quoted rent already includes most operating expenses. For an NNN lease, add the base rent plus estimated taxes, insurance, and CAM. Then compare the total cost for each option, adjusting for any expense stop provisions in modified gross leases.

How should I weight TI allowance in the comparison?

Calculate the effective rent net of TI allowance by amortizing the TI over the base term at an appropriate discount rate (typically 7-10%). A lease with $50/SF TI allowance has a meaningfully lower effective rent than one with no TI, especially for a first-generation space build-out. Include TI in net present value calculations for the most accurate comparison.

Is it worth taking less TI allowance for better lease flexibility?

This depends on your capital position and business outlook. Companies with high growth uncertainty often prefer flexibility (more options, lower termination penalties) over maximum TI. Capital-constrained companies may prioritize maximum TI even at the cost of flexibility. Model both scenarios with realistic probability weights.

Related Templates

Related Articles

Related Resources

Extract this data automatically with Lextract

Instead of working through this checklist manually, upload your lease PDF and get all 125+ fields extracted in under 3 minutes. Just $20 per lease — no subscription required.

Extract My Lease — $20