How to negotiate a US office lease
Headline rent is only part of the deal. In a tenant-friendly market, the concessions matter more: free-rent months, a tenant-improvement (TI) allowance for fit-out, and flexible break clauses.
What to push for
Ask for free rent (often 1 month per year of term), a TI allowance measured in dollars per square foot, and a cap on annual rent escalations. Negotiate a break or sublease right so you are not trapped if you outgrow or shrink the space. Always compare offers on a net-effective basis — the real average rent after every concession — not on the quoted number.
A good starting shortlist makes negotiation easier; build one by city and budget on RentOfficeToday.
