For Commercial Tenants
When the rent is more than your business can carry
Many business owners assume a signed lease can't be changed. In practice, landlords often have good reasons to negotiate — and a well-supported proposal can lead to real relief.
The Case for Negotiation
Why landlords say yes
A vacant commercial space costs a landlord more than just lost rent. There are carrying costs, broker fees, build-out expenses for a new tenant, and months of vacancy while a replacement is found. For many landlords, keeping a reliable tenant at a reduced rate is the better financial outcome.
That doesn't mean every landlord will negotiate, and it doesn't mean every request will succeed. But a well-prepared proposal — one backed by clear figures and framed from the landlord's perspective — gets taken seriously in a way that an informal conversation does not.
The goal is to keep you in your location and out of bankruptcy court. Even a temporary reduction can give a business the room it needs to recover.
This approach may be right for you if:
Your rent is consuming more than your business can sustain
You want to stay in your location but the current terms are unworkable
You're behind on rent and want to resolve it without eviction
You want to explore options before considering bankruptcy
You have a lease with time remaining and need relief now
How It Works
The process, step by step
Review the lease and the numbers
I read your lease closely and look at your financials. A request backed by clear figures gets taken seriously. I identify the leverage points in your lease and the financial picture that supports a reduction.
Build the case for relief
We prepare a proposal that shows the landlord why a reduction serves their interest as well as yours. Landlords respond to logic and numbers, not just hardship. The proposal frames the situation from their perspective.
Negotiate the terms
A reduced rate, a deferral, an abatement period, or a restructured term — all properly documented. I negotiate directly with your landlord or their counsel and make sure any agreement is enforceable.
Plan for the fallback
If negotiation falls short, your bankruptcy attorney already knows your lease and finances. No starting over. The work done in negotiation carries directly into any bankruptcy analysis.
"The goal is to keep you in your location and out of bankruptcy court. Even a temporary reduction can give a business the room it needs to recover."
What Relief Can Look Like
Types of rent relief
Temporary rent reduction
A reduced rate for a defined period — often three to twelve months — while your business recovers. The lease continues on original terms after the reduction period ends.
Permanent reduction
A renegotiated base rent for the remainder of the lease term. Harder to achieve but possible when the landlord has strong incentives to keep the space occupied.
Deferral
Rent owed is deferred to a later date rather than forgiven. This buys time without requiring the landlord to give up the money permanently.
Abatement period
A period of free or reduced rent, often used as a bridge while a business restructures or waits for revenue to recover.
Restructured lease term
Changes to the lease beyond just the rent — extended term, modified use provisions, or other adjustments that make the overall deal work for both sides.
Talk about your lease.
Bring your lease and a sense of your financials. I'll give you an honest read on whether negotiation is worth pursuing. Consultations are free.