Inspecting a Property Before Signing That 5-Year Lease

Leasing commercial space in Brandon or Westman? Before you sign a long-term lease, find out what a property inspection can tell you about the space and why it matters.

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Signing a five-year lease on a storefront, office, shop or warehouse is a big commitment for any business. You're not just agreeing to the rent. Depending on how the lease is written, you may also be taking on some of the responsibility for the building's condition, repairs and upkeep for years to come.

Before you sign, it's worth knowing exactly what you're moving into. Here's how a property inspection can help business owners in Brandon and the Westman area go into a lease with clear information.

Why Inspect Before a Long Lease? Who Is Responsible for Repairs?

Commercial leases vary a lot. Some leave most repairs with the landlord. Others make the tenant responsible for things like HVAC maintenance, plumbing, interior systems, or even a share of roof and structural costs. If your lease puts some of that responsibility on you, the condition of the building on day one matters.

Read the repair and maintenance sections of the lease carefully.
Know which systems and building parts you could be responsible for.
An inspection helps you understand the condition of those items before you agree to take them on.

Why Inspect Before a Long Lease? Hidden Issues Can Become Your Problem

A space can look great on a walk-through and still have issues that aren't obvious: an aging rooftop unit, a roof that's near the end of its life, electrical that doesn't suit your equipment, or signs of past water entry. Finding these before you sign gives you options. Finding them after you move in can mean disruption and unexpected costs for your business.

What a Commercial Inspection Looks At

A commercial property inspection is a visual look at the condition of the building and its major systems. Depending on the property and what's accessible, that can include:

Roof: Roof coverings, flashings, roof drains and visible signs of wear, damage or leaks.
HVAC: Heating and cooling equipment, including rooftop units, furnaces and unit heaters, and their general condition and operation.
Electrical: The service and panels, visible wiring, outlets and lighting, and whether anything looks unsafe or damaged.
Plumbing: Water supply, visible piping, fixtures, water heaters and drainage, along with signs of leaks.
Building envelope: Walls, cladding, windows, sealants and the foundation, along with signs of moisture or air leakage.
Doors and accessibility: Entrance and service doors, overhead and loading doors, hardware and closers, and visible accessibility features such as ramps, entrances and washrooms.
Parking and drainage: Parking areas, walkways, curbs and grading, and how water is directed away from the building.
Fire and life safety (visible items): Things like fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, exit signs and clear exit routes. An inspection notes what's visible; it doesn't replace the testing and certification done by qualified fire protection service providers.
Interior: Ceilings, walls and floors, plus any signs of past leaks, moisture or damage.

How the Report Helps With Your Lease

An inspection report gives you documentation of the condition of the space before you take possession. That can be useful in a few ways:

Ask questions: Use the findings to ask the landlord about the age, maintenance history and condition of the roof, HVAC and other systems.
Clarify responsibilities: If the report notes concerns, you can discuss who will handle them, and when, before the lease is signed.
Negotiate: Findings may support requests for repairs before move-in, or other changes to the lease terms.
Document the starting condition: A record of the space's condition at the start of the lease can be helpful later on.

Every lease is different, and we don't give legal advice. We recommend reviewing the inspection report and your lease terms with your lawyer and your commercial realtor, who can advise you on how to address the findings in your agreement.

Timing Tips

Inspect before you sign: Book the inspection before the lease is finalized, or make the lease conditional on an inspection, so the findings can still make a difference.
Leave time: Allow enough time in your lease timeline to book the inspection, review the report and talk it over with your advisors.
Arrange access: Ask the landlord or property manager for access to the roof, mechanical rooms, electrical panels and any locked areas.
Have utilities on: Power, water and heat should be on so systems can be operated.
Consider the season: In winter, snow can cover roofs, parking areas and grading, which may limit what can be seen. Any limitations are noted in the report.

How a Professional Inspection Helps

Just to be clear about what we do: Just Call Joe Inspections is a home and commercial property inspection company. We inspect and report on what we find. We're not a contractor and we don't do repairs, and we're not municipal building inspectors. Our job is to give you clear, unbiased information so you can make good decisions about your property.

Thinking About Leasing a Space?

Before you commit to a five-year lease, get a clear picture of the space you're moving into. Contact Just Call Joe Inspections to book a commercial inspection. We're proud to serve business owners across Brandon and the Westman area.