Commercial Tenant Screening: Before You Finalize the Lease

Commercial Tenant Screening: Before You Finalize the Lease

Ryan O'Callaghan   |     Sep 14, 2026

A prospective commercial tenant is ready to discuss the lease. The space suits their business, the proposed use makes sense and both sides want to keep the process moving. Before the discussion turns to final terms, the property manager needs a clear view of the business that will be responsible for the rent.

Commercial tenant screening is most useful when it connects the information in an application to the commitment being considered. Who will sign the lease? What do current references say about payment behaviour? Which financial obligations or unresolved findings need a closer look?

A structured review gives your team a way to identify what is confirmed, what needs clarification and what should be discussed before negotiations are complete.

What a Land Title Sub-Search Can Reveal During the Credit Ap...

Sue McConnachie   |     Jun 24, 2024

There are many searches and sources of information utilized to comprise a current investigative report for the property manager, creditor, franchisor, or OEM. A land title sub search is one of those sources and can provide a range of pertinent information. Results can assist in confirming ownership, in what is often an individual’s primary asset.

What can be revealed in a Personal Property Lien search?

Sue McConnachie   |     May 14, 2024

There are many searches and sources of information utilized to comprise a current investigative report for the property manager, creditor, franchisor, or OEM. The Personal Property Lien Registry is one of those sources and can provide a wide range of pertinent information. It is important to remember that the information gathered from this source is not always considered negative, as liens can also be registered in the normal course of business.

Can You Recover Unpaid Rents For Last Year’s Skipped and Del...

Sue McConnachie   |     Jan 30, 2024

During recent economic challenges and uncertainty, the number of Skipped and Delinquent Tenants is on the rise. Being a property manager brings with it the potential for serious risk, liability and consequences at a time when the scales of justice seem tipped in favour of the delinquent tenant. Once a tenant has gone delinquent, property managers must decide whether to proceed with legal action, and after all, if there is minimal probability of recovering the debt, why incur the costs of legal action?

Property Management Resources to Mitigate Risk

Sue McConnachie   |     Dec 20, 2022

All areas of commercial property management can be exposed to risk. To mitigate these risks, it is important to take advantage of all the tools available to you whenever possible. 

Identify Your Delinquent Tenant’s Assets and Liabilities

Sue McConnachie   |     Sep 16, 2022

Begin the debt recovery process - identify your delinquent tenant's assets and liabilities. Being a property manager brings with it the potential for serious risk, liability and consequences at a time when the scales of justice seem tipped in favour of the delinquent or "bad" tenants. Once a tenant has gone delinquent, property managers must decide whether to proceed with legal action and after all, if there is a minimal probability of recovering the debt, why incur the costs of a suit? The QCS “Asset Accumulation Report” is designed specifically with your skipped and delinquent tenants in mind. It is the most comprehensive report offered in today’s market and has been successful in assisting the property management industry in making decisions regarding the next course of action.

The “Asset Accumulation Report” will identify assets and liabilities and locate the tenant for service purposes. This report will help make decisions at different stages, from the time the tenant first falls into arrears to the time the tenant makes the midnight move. The report assists the landlord when dealing with a rent abatement situation or considering terminating a tenant's lease for unpaid rent. To take legal action or not?
 
This complimentary guide presents the information you receive in our Asset Accumulation Report.  We explain the relevance of the information included, how to interpret the data, and we offer insight into sections that can be especially helpful in making informed decisions. 
 
In this eBook, you will:  

Tenant Renewal – Be Aware of Changes in Your Tenant’s Financ...

Sue McConnachie   |     Oct 18, 2021

A change in corporate status, increased debt, defaulting with the Canada Revenue Agency and creditors, decreased liquidity, delinquent activity, a change in the corporate name or in the jurisdiction in which your tenant can do business - these are just some of the many changes that could occur from the time your tenant signed their original lease to the time they sign their renewal.

Being unaware of these changes could be detrimental to your continued success in property management.

That is why you need to treat each renewal tenant as you would a prospective tenant, screening them prior to renewing.

Approving the Tenant, Assignee or Subtenant in Todays Sublea...

Sue McConnachie   |     Sep 13, 2021

It is difficult to assess the full impact on the commercial market, created by the Covid-19 interruption. However, it is predictable that there will be substantial increases for subleasing and assignments, particularly in the office market. With the spread of Covid-19, brought the shift to work from home, leading certain departments to operate remotely with productivity success. Tenants are now exploring downsizing current space through assignments and sublets.

RECOURSE FOR TENANT DELINQUENCY AND BANKRUPTCY IN COMMERCIAL...

Sue McConnachie   |     Feb 05, 2021

Covid-19 is having a devasting impact on the global economy.  It raises significant implications for commercial landlords and their tenants facing the crisis.  The landlord is placed in a precarious situation during these times and is encouraged to improve their lease negotiations to protect their rights. There are several measures to help with protection, including comprehensive credit reporting, ensuring a guarantee or indemnity and requesting letters of credit and larger security deposits. These measures can assist should a tenant become delinquent or bankrupt. 

4 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN ASSESSING LEASE RENEWALS

Sue McConnachie   |     Dec 08, 2020

What could have changed since the original lease was executed?

• The full legal corporate name due to an amendment or amalgamation.
• Corporate Provincial status.
• The jurisdiction in which a corporation is registered to do business.
• Default with Companies Branch and Corporate Tax Branch.
• Increased debt (including mortgages, lines of credit, term loans and credit cards).
• Decreased bank account balances.
• Delinquent activity (late payments, collection claims, legal actions, judgments or bankruptcy).