What Is Tenant Representation?

Savvy companies with commercial real estate requirements look for real estate brokers who work exclusively as “tenant representatives” or “tenant reps,” meaning they specialize in assisting tenants looking for space vs. landlords that have space to offer. Some firms make the mistake of engaging a broker or a brokerage firm that represents both landlords and tenants in commercial real estate transactions. This choice can often result in a conflict of interest where the tenant’s interest becomes subordinate to that of a building or portfolio landlord.

A non-conflicted tenant rep will never support one landlord over another; rather, his/her goal is to understand the client’s space needs, expose the client to the vast array of options within a given market and negotiate for the right transaction in the right building that best meets those needs.