e-TafaknaA commercial lease agreement sets the terms on which a landlord makes premises available to a business for its activity, in return for rent. Whether for a shop, an office, a workshop or a warehouse, its term, renewal and the fate of the business depend on the law of the place where the premises are located.
What every template should include before you sign.
Identity of landlord and tenant (company name, registration, representative), address, area and layout of the premises, with a condition report or descriptive inventory attached.
The activity carried out on the premises, precisely defined. Any change or addition of activity requires the landlord's consent or compliance with the conditions set by the applicable law.
Start date, term, conditions for renewal at expiry and the position of a tenant who stays on, in line with any minimum terms imposed by local law.
Amount of rent, payment frequency and method, and applicable taxes. The reference index and review frequency stay within the limits set by local law.
Allocation of service charges, taxes, routine maintenance and major repairs. Fit-out works by the tenant and what happens to them at the end of the lease are specified.
Amount of the deposit, conditions and timing of its return and, where relevant, a bank or personal guarantee for the rent.
If paid, the lease states its amount and nature and records it in writing. Some laws prohibit it; others take it into account for renewal or eviction compensation.
Conditions for assigning the lease, including together with the business, whether subletting is prohibited or allowed, and any landlord approval required.
Form and timing of notice, termination clause for non-payment, any compensation at the end of the lease, governing law and competent court or body.
Pick a country: key points, formalities and reference texts.
In Tunisia, Law No. 77-37 governs notice to quit, renewal and eviction compensation for premises used for commercial, industrial or craft purposes.
All templates in Tunisia
In Algeria, since Law No. 05-02, a commercial lease is a notarial deed, its term is freely agreed, and renewal exists only if the lease provides for it.
All templates in Algeria
In Morocco, Law No. 49-16 requires a written lease with a certain date and governs renewal and eviction compensation; Law No. 07-03 governs rent revision.
All templates in Morocco
In Egypt, the Civil Code defines the lease; Law No. 164 of 2025 phases out old non-residential leases.
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In Lebanon, old non-residential leases signed before 23 July 1992 are reformed by Law No. 11 of 2025; the rules for recent leases remain to be confirmed.
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In Iraq, the Civil Code (Law No. 40 of 1951) defines the lease; rules specific to commercial leases remain to be confirmed.
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In Saudi Arabia, the 1447H landlord-tenant provisions also apply to commercial premises, and leases are registered on the Ejar platform.
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Each emirate has its own tenancy rules; the rules below are those of Dubai (Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended).
All templates in the United Arab Emirates
In Qatar, Law No. 4 of 2008 on property leasing, amended in 2026, requires a written, registered lease.
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In Oman, Royal Decree 6/89 governs fixed-term leases of commercial and industrial premises; since 2025, specialised committees decide rental disputes.
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In Yemen, Law No. 22 of 2006 covers shops, workshops, warehouses and agencies; as authorities have been split since 2015, the rules shown are those of national laws in force before that date.
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Kenya is a common-law country: "controlled" tenancies of shops, hotels and restaurants fall under Cap. 301, which regulates termination and rent review.
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In France, the commercial lease regime applies to premises where a commercial, craft or industrial business is operated by a tenant registered with the RCS or RNE.
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In Italy, Law No. 392 of 1978 sets a minimum term, tacit renewal and compensation for loss of goodwill for non-residential premises.
All templates in ItalySimple signature, OTP signature or TunTrust qualified signature (DigiGO, Mobile ID) in Tunisia.
See the signature levelsA commercial lease agreement template identifies the parties and the premises and sets out the permitted use, term, rent and its review, service charges, security deposit, and the rules on assignment and notice. In Morocco, Law No. 49-16 also requires a written lease with a certain date and a descriptive inventory of the premises.
TunisiaAlgeriaMoroccoEgyptSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesQatarOmanIraqYemenLebanonKenyaFranceItalyGeneral information, up to date at the date shown. It does not replace legal advice tailored to your situation.
