Guest Post by Sara Stanley, MCR, Managing Director, Commercial Tenant Services, Inc.

There’s truth in the old saying – but in real estate, it takes on a whole new meaning. 

Many landlords are now drafting lease language that may shift responsibility for certain damages or exclusions away from themselves – and onto tenants. While warranties and insurance policies often appear to offer coverage, the fine print (or lack thereof) tells a different story. 

For example, nickel sulfide inclusions in tempered glass can cause glass breakage. This may be a costly defect, and it is likely not covered under warranty or insurance. If your lease doesn’t address these gaps clearly, you could find yourself absorbing expenses thought to be the responsibility of the Landlord. 

That’s where a Third-Party Forensic Lease Review team comes in. 

They often offer a complimentary lease language review. Together with your transactions team and/or legal counsel, building systems experts can help identify hidden risks and cost exposures in your lease agreements. 

By aligning technical insight with legal protections, Lease Audit groups can help reduce the chances of unexpected expenses filtering down to tenants and help you preserve your cost-cutting strategies without costly surprises. 

Leases are more than paperwork; they are protection. Make sure they work for you, not just the Landlord. 

Your Lease Review Team should offer the following services:

• Compliance Reviews – ensuring obligations and rights are fully aligned. 

• Process Consulting – assisting with improvements to internal procedures and controls. 

• Transaction Review – evaluating estoppels, amendments, related documents, and advising on potential alternative approaches. 

• Best Practice Lease Language – sharing proven verbiage and analysis tools to help clients preserve audit rights and limit arbitrary landlord restrictions, supporting stronger recovery outcomes. 

• Sublease Revenue Maximization – strategies to unlock greater value from sublease opportunities. 

• Trusted Partnership – serving as an extension of your team, committed to protecting your interests. 
• Never missing an audit clause deadline

 Sara Stanley, MCR, is Managing Director at Commercial Tenant Services, Inc.