Disclosure
Disclosure statements
Check what is recorded about the premises, term, costs, works, trading hours and known disruption.
Retail lease review and advice
Retail lease lawyers in Sydney
Aquarius Lawyers advises retail landlords, tenants and business purchasers on lease drafting, review, disclosure and negotiation for premises in Sydney and NSW. Start before you sign, renew, assign or exit.
Send the draft or signed lease, disclosure material and the next date. Aquarius Lawyers will confirm the available work in writing.
- Your role
- Landlord, tenant or business purchaser
- Lease stage
- Draft, renewal, assignment, dispute or exit
- Next date
- Disclosure, signing, option or notice deadline
Your written retail lease scope can include
- Documents and clauses to review
- Drafting, advice or negotiation work included
- Professional fees, GST and likely external charges
This page covers retail leases in Sydney and NSW. Aquarius Lawyers provides conveyancing across Australia. For property in another state or territory, explore our national conveyancing services or send a national property enquiry and select your property's jurisdiction. Aquarius Lawyers will confirm the available work and costs in writing.
What retail lease lawyers review
Know your retail lease obligations before you sign or act
A retail lease sets the rent and other occupancy costs. It can also control how you use the premises, who completes and pays for work and what happens when the tenancy changes or ends. Your written scope will identify the documents and questions Aquarius Lawyers will review.
The premises, proposed use, disclosure material and negotiated lease need to be read together.
Occupancy cost
Rent, outgoings and reviews
Read the base rent, increases, review method, operating expenses and payment dates.
Time
Term, options and renewal
Check the lease term, option conditions, notice dates and renewal process.
Premises
Permitted use, fit-out and repairs
Examine the authorised use, approvals, works, access, repair and reinstatement obligations.
Change
Assignment and business sale
Review consent conditions, transfer steps, disclosure, guarantees and continuing obligations.
Exit
Default, disputes and make-good
Read the notice, remedy, termination, surrender and end-of-lease clauses before acting.
Retail leasing rules in NSW
First confirm whether the Retail Leases Act applies.
Coverage depends on the premises, proposed use and current statutory rules. Do not rely only on the title printed on the lease.
The premises may be a retail shop
Read the Act and disclosure material with the lease.
A covered retail lease can carry disclosure requirements and statutory limits alongside the negotiated terms.
- Describe the premises and proposed business use.
- Send the lessor and lessee disclosure statements.
- Flag the date each document was provided or signed.
Coverage is unclear
Check the facts before choosing a legal service.
The use, premises and exclusions can affect whether the retail leasing framework applies. The lease terms still need review if it does not.
- Send the property address and floor-area information.
- Describe the business activity in plain language.
- Identify the signing, renewal, assignment or exit deadline.
How to get legal help
Four steps to a written retail lease scope
The help you need depends on whether the lease is being drafted, reviewed, negotiated, renewed, assigned, disputed or ended. Start with the document and deadline.
Request a retail lease scope- 1
Share the retail context
Provide the premises, business use, parties, your role and the current lease stage.
- 2
Send the documents
Include the lease or heads of agreement, disclosure statements, variations and relevant correspondence.
- 3
Name the decision
State whether you need drafting, review, negotiation, renewal, assignment, make-good, dispute or exit advice.
- 4
Review the written scope
Check the proposed work, professional fees, GST, likely external charges and exclusions before instructing Aquarius Lawyers.
Common questions
Answers about disclosure, costs and lease changes
These answers are general. Your advice will depend on the premises, business use, lease documents and work Aquarius Lawyers agrees to complete.
What does a retail lease lawyer review?
The agreed review may cover the lease and disclosure statements, rent and outgoings, rent reviews, the term and options, permitted use, fit-out, repairs, security, assignment, default, termination and make-good. The written scope should identify the documents, work and exclusions for your matter.
When should a tenant receive a retail lease disclosure statement?
NSW Small Business Commissioner guidance says a lessor must give the written disclosure statement to the lessee at least seven days before the lease is entered into. The lessee must then provide its disclosure statement within seven days of receiving the lessor statement or request more time. Obtain advice about the current Act, the documents and any timing issue in your matter.
How do I know whether the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW) applies?
Coverage depends on the premises, proposed use and the current Act, including its exclusions. A document called a commercial lease may still concern retail premises, while not every shop tenancy is necessarily covered. Send the premises details and proposed business use so the position can be checked.
Who pays the legal costs for a retail lease in NSW?
The Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW) restricts a lessor from recovering certain expenses connected with preparing a covered retail lease, but other legal work and third-party costs may still arise. The lease, transaction and requested work should be reviewed before either party agrees who pays a cost.
Can a retail lease lawyer help with an assignment or business sale?
Yes, subject to the documents and accepted scope. An assignment can involve the lease consent process, disclosure, financial information, guarantees, release questions and the business-sale timetable. Send the signed lease, variations, proposed assignment material and key dates.
How much does retail lease legal advice cost?
The fee depends on the lease stage, document and work requested. Reviewing a draft, preparing documents, negotiating changes, handling an assignment or advising on a dispute can involve different work. Ask Aquarius Lawyers for a written scope showing professional fees, GST, likely third-party charges and exclusions before you proceed.
Content reviewer
Reviewed by Katherine Hawes
LLB, LLM · Principal Solicitor, Aquarius Lawyers
Katherine reviewed this page's retail lease, disclosure and scope information for Sydney landlords, tenants and business purchasers.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026. General information only; obtain advice about your contract and transaction.