IS A FULL SERVICE LEASE REALLY "FULL SERVICE" WHEN THE BREAKROOM FLOODS?
- Renee Ervanian
- May 13
- 2 min read
Updated: May 14
Many Phoenix office tenants assume a Full Service lease means the landlord covers everything: utilities, nightly janitorial, common area maintenance, repairs, and unexpected issues that arise. But there's a costly surprise buried in many leases.
INTERIOR SUITE LEAKS:
When a leak happens inside the suite, especially in the breakroom or interior restrooms, the rules usually change. WHO PAYS FOR THE INTERIOR SUITE LEAKS? Most full-service leases include a clause stating that a tenant is responsible for breakroom plumbing, interior restroom fixtures, sinks, faucets, garbage disposals, appliances, connections, and damage caused by leaks.
THE REAL FINANCIAL RISK:
A simple, unexpected leak can trigger a chain of tenant expenses, such as water extraction, dry-out equipment, mold testing and remediation, replacement of flooring, baseboards, and cabinets, environmental reports, and restoration labor.
THE TAKEAWAY
Full Service doesn't mean full coverage. Tenants need to negotiate updated plumbing during tenant improvements, responsibility language, landlord coverage for aging fixtures, and caps on interior repair costs. A few sentences in a lease can prevent thousands in surprise expenses.
About the Author
Renee Ervanian is the Managing Broker of Core Commercial, LLC, specializing in Metro Phoenix tenant and buyer representation, owner-user sales and acquisitions, and family legacy portfolios. With 20 + years of experience advising office, industrial, and flex users across the Valley, she is known for her deep submarket expertise, negotiation strategy, and tenant-side advocacy. Renee publishes a daily Phoenix tenant-representation micro-analysis to help businesses avoid costly lease mistakes and negotiate from a position of strength.
Credibility & Compliance
Core Commercial LLC is an independent Phoenix commercial real estate brokerage focused solely on representing tenants, buyers, owner-user buildings, and family legacy portfolios. insights reflect Phoenix market conditions and lease structures. For direct tenant, buyer representation support, contact Core Commercial LLC.
Renee Ervanian
Managing Broker, Core Commercial LLC
Phoenix Metro Office & Industrial Representation
602 - 330-7482
Comments