The landlord has a broker. You should too.

Here's the conflict most tenants don't think about: the broker who found your office is typically paid by the landlord. Their commission comes from the deal getting done — and from the rent being as high as possible. They're not working against you, but they're not working for you either.

Tenant representation flips that. I work exclusively for the occupier. My job is to get you the best terms, not to fill the landlord's building.

Lease Negotiation

I negotiate commercial leases for a living. Rental rates, escalation formulas, break clauses, fit-out contributions, operating cost caps, renewal options — every clause is a financial decision, and every concession a landlord offers is one I've seen before. I know what's standard, what's aggressive, and what's possible if you push.

Site Selection

Finding space is easy. Finding the right space — one that supports your operations, attracts your talent, fits your budget, and gives you flexibility for the next 3-5 years — requires analysis. I evaluate locations against your specific criteria: transit access, building infrastructure, amenity density, backup power capability, and lease economics. Not a generic shortlist. A strategic recommendation.

Deal Structuring

The shape of the deal matters as much as the rent. I structure transactions that protect your downside: phased occupancy if you're growing, contraction options if the market shifts, sub-lease rights if your headcount changes, and clear exit provisions that don't cost you six months of rent. The goal is a lease that works for your business, not just for the landlord's yield.

Why tenant representation matters

• Information asymmetry. The landlord knows what other tenants pay, what concessions they've offered, and what their vacancy position is. Unless you have an advisor, you're negotiating with less information.
• Leverage. A tenant advisor who knows the market can credibly say "We have three alternative options at lower rates." That changes the negotiation dynamic entirely.
• Accountability. When I represent you, I'm accountable to you — not to the landlord, not to a listing mandate, not to a commission structure that rewards higher rent. Your outcome is my outcome.

In South Africa specifically

• The broker model creates structural conflicts. Most SA commercial brokers represent the landlord. Tenant representation is still uncommon — which means most tenants negotiate without market data, without leverage, and without someone in their corner.
• Hybrid work has shifted the power balance. Companies need less space. Landlords need tenants more than they have in a decade. A tenant advisor helps you capitalise on that leverage window before the market tightens.
• Load-shedding separates good buildings from bad. A tenant rep who knows which buildings have genuine Stage 6 backup — and which are bluffing — saves you from signing a five-year lease in a building that can't keep the lights on.