The landlord has
a professional in
their corner.
You should too.
Every commercial landlord in South Africa has a broker whose sole job is to secure the best possible terms for the landlord. They know the market. They know the incentives. They know exactly what you don’t know.
When you negotiate directly, or use the same broker the landlord recommended, you are not negotiating on a level playing field. We exist to change that. Our tenant representation service puts an experienced, independent advocate in your corner for every lease transaction, ensuring your interests are protected from the first enquiry to the final signed lease.
The information gap between
landlord and tenant is significant.
And expensive.
South Africa’s commercial property market is dominated by large, sophisticated landlords, property funds, listed REITs, and institutional investors who employ full-time teams of professional brokers, lawyers, and asset managers. Their sole objective is to lease space on the best possible terms for the landlord.
The average corporate tenant, by contrast, negotiates a commercial lease once every three to five years. They enter the process without live market data, without knowledge of what incentives landlords are currently offering, and without experience of the negotiating tactics the landlord’s team will use. The information asymmetry is significant and it costs tenants money on every lease they sign.
Tenant representation exists to correct that imbalance. We bring the same level of professional advocacy, market intelligence, and negotiating experience to the tenant’s side of the table — ensuring that you are never the least informed party in a commercial property negotiation.
The broker who showed you
the building works for the landlord.
In the South African commercial property market, most tenants are advised, knowingly or unknowingly, by brokers whose fee is paid by the landlord. This is a fundamental conflict of interest that most businesses never question.
The traditional commercial property broker is engaged by, and paid a commission by, the building owner. Their commercial interest is in completing a deal in that building, not in finding you the best possible terms across all available options.
Paid by the tenant. Accountable to the tenant. Acts on the tenants best interests
We are engaged by and paid directly by you the occupier. Our commercial interest is aligned entirely with yours: securing the best possible terms for your business across every available option in the market.
Most tenants focus on headline rental. We negotiate every dimension of the lease because the terms beyond the headline rate often represent the largest financial exposure.
The headline rental rate is benchmarked against every comparable space currently available in your target node — and against recent concluded transactions. We use this data to establish the true market rate and negotiate to it.
The TIA — The landlord’s contribution to your fit-out is one of the most significant financial terms in any commercial lease and one of the most frequently under-negotiated. We benchmark TIA against current market norms and push hard for the maximum available contribution.
A rent-free period at lease commencement is standard in most current market conditions, but many tenants do not know to ask for it, or accept less than the market is currently offering. We negotiate the maximum rent-free period available in your specific market and building category.
Annual escalation clauses are compounding — a 1% reduction in your escalation rate can represent hundreds of thousands of rands over a five-year lease term. We benchmark escalation rates against market norms and negotiate to the lowest achievable rate for your lease category.
Business circumstances change. We negotiate break options, expansion rights, contraction provisions, and sublease rights that give your business the flexibility to respond to change without being trapped in a lease that no longer serves your needs.
The right to renew a lease at a known future rate, and the terms under which that right can be exercised has significant long-term value. We negotiate renewal options that protect your future occupancy certainty without locking you into unfavourable rates.
Our tenant representation process is comprehensive, covering strategy, market search, negotiation, legal coordination, and handover. You focus on your business. We handle the property.
Once commercial terms are agreed, we coordinate the legal review process — working alongside your attorneys to ensure the negotiated terms are accurately reflected in the lease agreement, and that any legally unfavourable provisions are identified and addressed before execution. We review the final draft against the heads of agreement and flag any material deviations for resolution before you sign.
Every engagement begins with a structured brief. We document your space requirements — size, specification, location priorities, budget parameters, timing, headcount projections, and any operational constraints. We also review your current lease position, including any make-good obligations or notice requirements that may affect your timeline. This brief drives every subsequent decision in the process.
We conduct a comprehensive search of all available space in your target nodes — both on and off market. We do not limit our search to a single building or a single landlord's portfolio. We approach every relevant landlord and agent in the market, including direct approaches to buildings that may have unlisted vacancy or upcoming availability. The result is a longlist of all viable options, objectively assessed against your brief.
We shortlist the most suitable options against your brief and arrange coordinated building inspections. We prepare a structured evaluation matrix — comparing every shortlisted option across rental rate, building grade, specification, location, parking, flexibility provisions, and total cost of occupancy. We present this comparison to your leadership team with a clear recommendation on which options to pursue to the negotiation stage.
Whether your lease is expiring in 6 months or 3 years, the best time to engage a CRE advisor is earlier than you think. Let’s start with a no-obligation strategy call.
Long Street
City Center, Cape Town
South Africa
We negotiate directly with your landlord on your behalf, securing improved rental rates, enhanced TIA, extended rent-free periods, and more favourable escalation and option clause
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We act exclusively in your interest to identify, evaluate, and negotiate the best available premises in your target market, managing the full transaction from brief to handover.
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If the analysis identifies a space efficiency opportunity, we design the right-sized, right-configured workspace modelled around hybrid working patterns, headcount, and operational needs.
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Tenant and landlord representation are specialized services provided by corporate real estate professionals to assist both property owners (landlords) and businesses or individuals seeking space (tenants) in the commercial real estate sector. These services involve advocacy, negotiation, and strategic advisory to ensure favorable outcomes for the party being represented.
Businesses expanding into larger premises for the first time — where the lease commitment is significant, the stakes are high, and independent representation ensures you don’t overpay for the space you need to grow into. We represent corporate occupiers across all sectors and sizes — from single-office businesses securing their first significant lease, to multinational corporations managing complex multi-site South African portfolios. Tenant representation focuses on advocating for the tenant’s best interests when they are looking for commercial space to lease or rent. Whether it’s office, retail, or industrial space, tenant representatives help businesses navigate the complex leasing process and ensure they secure the right space under optimal terms. Browse our assortment of offices to rent in century City.
Established businesses relocating their head office or regional operations — where a comprehensive market search, structured evaluation, and rigorous negotiation process is essential to securing the right space on the right terms. Our market intelligence and transactional experience covers all of South Africa’s primary commercial property markets — giving you consistent, benchmarked representation wherever your business operates. See how we can assist with your office installation.
Businesses with commercial property across multiple South African nodes — who require a consistent, coordinated approach to tenant representation that ensures every site is negotiated with the same rigour and market intelligence.
Learn more about our Stay versus Go Report
International businesses entering the South African market — who need a trusted, independent advisor with deep local market knowledge to identify suitable space, navigate local lease conventions, and negotiate with confidence in an unfamiliar market.
Needs Assessment: Tenant representatives begin by understanding the specific needs of the tenant, including location preferences, space requirements, budget constraints, and future growth plans. This ensures that the selected property aligns with the tenant’s business objectives.
Market Research: Tenant representatives perform thorough market analysis, identifying available properties that meet the tenant’s criteria. They provide insight into market trends, rental rates, and competitive opportunities.
Property Tours: After narrowing down options, tenant representatives arrange property tours, allowing the tenant to evaluate each location’s suitability in terms of layout, amenities, accessibility, and overall environment.
Negotiation of Lease Terms: One of the most critical aspects of tenant representation is lease negotiation. The representative advocates for favorable lease terms, including rental rates, lease length, renewal options, and flexibility for expansion or downsizing. They also negotiate aspects like tenant improvement allowances, maintenance responsibilities, and rent escalation clauses.
Due Diligence: Tenant representatives conduct due diligence on the selected properties, ensuring that all legal, financial, and regulatory requirements are met before a lease is signed. This includes verifying zoning, building codes, and the condition of the property.
Lease Management: Beyond the initial lease agreement, tenant representatives may offer ongoing support in managing the lease, including monitoring key dates such as renewal or termination periods and ensuring compliance with the lease terms.
Whether you’re looking to expand your footprint, optimize your current space, or navigate complex lease negotiations, we have the knowledge and experience to help you achieve your goals.
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