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Commercial,
Industrial, Retail
Sales and Leasing

Whether you are buying, selling or leasing, our team at GM Law has the expertise and motivation to make your transaction a positive and seamless experience.

Commercial and industrial properties

The GM Law Story

GM Law was established in 1994 by principals Gerard Pagliaro and Mark McAvoy, both of whom were admitted to practice in the early 90's and are solicitors of the Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia.

With GM Law, you are in the most capable hands - solicitors with the highest levels of commercial property law experience and acumen.

We offer personalised service and you can call us for an immediate response at any time during the process.

All of our staff are long standing members of the company and are highly experienced, well trained and dedicated to customer service.

Our People

GM Law currently employs 9 professionals. The team has the capacity to turn around advice and documentation within tight timeframes whilst at the same time offering a highly personalised service to our valued Clients.

We recognise our people as our greatest asset and celebrate their victories. We facilitate and foster a culture of understanding and open communication, whilst always maintaining a laser like focus on the needs of our Clients.

Have a chat with us

We pride ourselves on offering quality, timely & affordable personalised service. Explore how we could assist your needs by having a no obligation chat with one of our directors:

or Submit an enquiry

The GM Law Services

Real Estate Buy & Sell
Transactions

Our team of real estate lawyers delivers comprehensive legal services essential for facilitating deals and ensuring projects progress smoothly from due diligence to successful completion.

We provide expert advice on greenfield developments, master-planned communities, retail and industrial sites, and commercial developments. Our expertise encompasses negotiations, due diligence, joint venture agreements, acquisitions and sales, body corporate scheme establishment, master-planned developments, leases, licenses, commercial agreements, and project conveyancing.

We provide legal services for the sale and acquisition of:

  • Stand-alone Commercial Buildings
  • Commercial Estates
  • Industrial Estates
  • Shopping Centres
  • Retirement Communities
  • Childcare Centres
  • Service Stations

We also advise on:

  • Subdivisions including Community Title Subdivisions

Experience

Our commercial team have advised major property clients on various transactions including the following:

  • Acquisitions and sales of Commercial Parks or Estates
  • Acquisitions and sales of Industrial Estates
  • Acquisitions and sales of Retail Shopping Centres that included the assignments of both Agreements to Lease and Leases
  • Subdivisions of major estates
Commercial property client speaking by phone

Due Diligence

We offer comprehensive legal due diligence services including a provision of a detailed report on the subject Property.

Contract Preparation

We deliver plain language contracts that protect your commercial interests, clearly outline the scope of work and obligations, and minimise risk.

With extensive experience in contract preparation, we offer sound commercial advice on drafting, negotiating, and administering commercial and procurement contracts, documentation, and procedures.

We prepare contract administration manuals to ensure contracts are easily understood and properly managed, detailing operations, time limits, and sample notices.

Our expertise includes working with the client's financial advisors on the structuring, negotiation and establishment of joint ventures.

Negotiation

We take a practical approach, advising clients on acceptable risks in the commercial context of a deal, rather than always pushing for the strongest legal position.

Sales & Acquisitions Fees

Don't hesitate to get in contact with us and we will provide you with a fixed fee.
Any additional services requested can also be quoted.

Sales:
Under 1M$1,450
Between $1M and $1.5M$1,850
Between $1.5M and $2M$2,500
Between $2M and $3M$3,200
Between $3M and $4M$4,200
Between $4M and $5M$4,500
High Value ContractsQuotes provided
Purchase:
Under 1M$1,750
Between $1M and $1.5M$2,500
Between $1.5M and $2M$3,200
Between $2M and $3M$3,850
Between $3M and $4M$4,500
Between $4M and $5M$4,850
High Value ContractsQuotes provided
Get in touch

Lease Documentation -
Lessor and Lessee

Our leasing team is highly experienced in preparing, reviewing, and advising on commercial, industrial and retail leases.

For landlords, we ensure efficient management of rental income streams, including lease preparation and negotiation, assignments, extensions, amendments, surrenders, and rent recovery. We handle projects competently and cost-effectively.

For tenants, we understand rental costs are a major overhead. We offer professional lease review and negotiation to ensure clarity on key terms and identify any hidden conditions. Additionally, we advise on compliance with the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994.

Our leasing team advises business operators and property owners on:

  • Industrial Leases - whether stand alone or within an estate
  • Commercial Leases - including commercial office building leases
  • Retail Shopping Centre Leases of all sizes
  • Managing Leasing Portfolios - advising property developers and owners on tenant-related matters and interpretation of obligations
  • Licences and car parking agreements
  • Incentives, Fitout and Naming rights deeds

Experience

We have acted on the following transactions:

  • Leasing for Industrial Estates, including Agreements to Lease, more than 20 high value leases, and replacement leases following a community title subdivision
  • Leasing for Retail Shopping Centres including Agreements to Lease and Fitout Deeds
  • Leasing for Commercial Complexes
  • Acting for landlords who wish to evict tenants
Commercial lease documents being reviewed

Document Requirements

We usually only require the shortform offer to lease prepared by the Agent.

Turnaround Time

We turnaround new leases within 2 days of receiving instructions and the required information.

Developments

We prepare Agreements to Lease for developers to allow developments to proceed with binding leases in place.

Leasing Fees range from:

Don't hesitate to get in contact with us and we will provide you with a fixed fee.
Any additional services requested can also be quoted.

Lease Preparation
Rent less than $70,000$1,750
Rent $70,000 - $150,000$1,850
Rent more than $150,000$2,500
Rent more than $300,000$3,500
Mortgagee Consent (if applicable):
Form 18 Preparation$450
Retail Leases:
Lessor Disclosure Statement$750
Get in touch

The GM Case Studies

For more than 30 years, GM Law Commercial has been providing professional advice and services across a wide range of commercial development projects for developers and investors alike. The firm has acquired high levels of expertise in adding value to industrial, commercial and retail transactions. GM Law Commercial also possesses a strong track record in working with developers and investors involved in the service station and quick service restaurant industries.

The Firm's work in the industrial sector has included sensitive negotiations within railway corridors as well as negotiation of noise covenants and complex boundary realignments involving multiple parties. We are also experienced in dealings related to commercial offices and retail development. To demonstrate the breadth of experience and expertise available within GM Law Commercial, we have prepared the following Case Studies.

Proximity Industrial Estate, Stapylton, Qld

Project Highlights:

  • On completion of remaining 4 purpose built warehouses the estate will have an end value exceeding $210,000,000.
  • Appointed in 2009 to provide legal administration for Client being Burnside Developments Pty Ltd and Yellowstone Investments Pty Ltd.
  • Secured lessees for buildings under construction through Agreements to Lease.
  • Management of leases for existing buildings for past 15 years.
  • Leases currently generate in excess of $7M in annual rents.
  • Managed lease replacements post-subdivision, facilitating transitions to body corporate structures.
  • Prepared lease renewals, deeds of covenant, and coordinated with project financiers.
  • Boundary Alignment (2019): Adjusted land areas leased to tenants to align with project needs.
  • Three-Stage Subdivision (2023): Reconfigured lots within a community title scheme.
  • Transferred land to local authorities and implemented multiple easements registered on title - as negotiated with Gold Coast City Council and Consultant team.

GM Law continues to provide exclusive and expert legal guidance for high-value commercial property developments within the Proximity Industrial Estate.

Proximity Industrial Estate, Stapylton, Qld

43 Metroplex Avenue, Murarrie, QLD

  • Acted for Client on acquisition of Commercial Office Building in 2004.
  • High value Commercial Office Leasing Transactions.
  • Appointed to act on the various Leases in 2015 including the Lease to Goodstart Early Learning Ltd for its head office.
  • Negotiated Agreements to Lease for Complex including staged new office fit out to tenant specifications.
  • Prepared Lease Assignments.
  • Ongoing administration of Leases within Building.

43 Metroplex Avenue is owned by Filavoy Pty Ltd & Gateplex Pty Ltd and has been since its acquisition in 2004.

43 Metroplex Avenue, Murarrie, QLD 43 Metroplex Avenue, Murarrie, QLD

16 to 22 Yarrabilba Drive, Yarrabilba, QLD

  • Construction on greenfield site for a Shopping Centre development in the Yarrabilba precinct.
  • Appointed to act on the various Leases in 2016.
  • 10 leases including to the anchor tenant, including Agreements to Lease whilst the Shopping Centre was under construction.
  • Administration of Leases within Shopping Centre - 10 leases including an anchor tenant.
  • Appointed to act on the successful sale of the Shopping Centre in January 2017.
16 to 22 Yarrabilba Drive, Yarrabilba, QLD

Testimonials

Burnside Developments Pty Ltd and Yellowstone Investments Pty Ltd

Developers of Proximity Industrial Estate, Stapylton, Qld

We appointed GM Law to act for us not long after purchasing our Stapylton site. 15 years later, we are within a few years of completing the final buildings. We have found GM Law to be very experienced and capable of dealing with the most complex property matters. They understand that time is important and they turn around leases very quickly. In the case of Proximity, the leases have been mostly to national and international tenants. GM has very effectively negotiated with the tenant's solicitors and kept these deals on track. We decided a couple of years ago to subdivide the lots within a community title scheme so that one day we can split the assets between the partners. This has been much more complicated than we expected given some of the buildings go back 15 plus years. We expect to achieve the completed subdivision by early 2025 and we could not have done this without the guys at GM Law.

Gateplex Pty Ltd and Filavoy Pty Ltd

Owners of 43 Metroplex Avenue, Murarrie, Qld

Thank you to GM Law Commercial for representing us since we bought this property back in 2004. At the time, ABC Learning was the anchor tenant. When they were liquidated in 2009, we had to search for a new tenant. Eventually Goodstart Early Learning was formed from the ashes of ABC and they chose our building as their national head office. During all of these ups and downs GM Law were a tremendous help. Gerard and Mark are proactive, intelligent and commercial.

John Clark

P.O.B Qld Pty Ltd

GM Lawyers provided outstanding support in our BP Elliot Springs and other Service Station developments, managing complex acquisition due diligence, option agreements, subdivisions and easements with skill and precision. Their expertise in lease agreements and facilitating the sale of our retail lot was seamless.

Peter Marles

YRC Holdings Pty Ltd

GM Lawyers expertly managed the leasing and sale of our Yarrabilba Shopping Centre, handling complex Agreements to Lease during construction and administration of tenant leases, including a key anchor tenant. Their efficiency and attention to detail ensured a seamless process.

Macbar Pty Ltd

GM Law Commercial provided exceptional support for Macbar Pty Ltd, expertly managing high-value industrial leasing transactions, lease renewals, and easement negotiations. Their professionalism during the $30M sale of our Hemmant industrial complex to a property trust was invaluable.

FAQ's

I am a landlord. What do you do for me?

We prepare the lease, advise on rent review mechanisms, negotiate with the tenant's solicitors, and handle any subsequent amendments, assignments, extensions, surrenders, or rent recovery matters. We manage your leasing portfolio efficiently so your income stream is protected.

I am a tenant. What do you do for me?

We review the lease in detail before you sign, advise you on any unfavourable or unusual conditions, negotiate terms on your behalf, and ensure you understand exactly what you are committing to for the full lease term - including outgoings, make-good obligations, and rent review clauses.

How much does commercial lease preparation cost?

Lease preparation fees depend on the annual rent: leases with rent below $70,000 p.a. start from $1,750, between $70,000 and $150,000 from $1,850, above $150,000 from $2,500, and above $300,000 from $3,500. All fees exclude GST. Contact us for a fixed fee quote specific to your lease.

How quickly can you prepare a commercial lease?

We typically turn around a new lease within 1-2 business days of receiving instructions and the required information. We only need the short-form offer to lease prepared by the agent to get started.

What information do you need to prepare a lease?

In the first instance, the short-form agreement to lease, usually prepared by the real estate agent, is sufficient for us to begin. We will advise you if any additional information is needed. If an agent has not prepared a short-form offer to lease, we will send you a list of the information required.

Does a commercial lease need to be registered?

Registration is not legally required but is strongly advisable, particularly where the term together with options exceeds 3 years. Registration protects the tenant's interest in the property against any subsequent dealings by the landlord. Most tenants with longer terms will require registration.

Does the lease need to be witnessed?

If a company is signing the lease, a witness is not required. If an individual or someone acting under a Power of Attorney is signing, the document must be witnessed by a solicitor or Justice of the Peace.

What is a Retail Lessor Disclosure Statement?

Under the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994, landlords of retail premises are required to provide a formal Disclosure Statement to a prospective tenant before a retail lease is signed. Failure to provide it correctly can give the tenant rights to terminate. The statements summarise the key points in a lease and we prepare these statements for $750 plus GST.

What is the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994?

This Queensland Act regulates leases for retail shops, including premises used to sell goods or services to the public and premises within a retail shopping centre. It imposes specific obligations on landlords, including disclosure requirements, and gives tenants certain protections. We advise both landlords and tenants on compliance.

What is a Mortgagee Consent and when is it required?

If the landlord's property is mortgaged, the bank will usually need to consent to the lease before it can be registered. The Mortgagee Consent is a formal document and we arrange it for $450 plus GST when required.

What is an Agreement to Lease?

An Agreement to Lease is a binding preliminary contract setting out the agreed terms before the formal lease is prepared. It is commonly used when a property is still under construction and allows the developer to secure tenants before the building is complete. We prepare Agreements to Lease for developers and tenants regularly.

What is a lease assignment?

A lease assignment occurs when a tenant transfers their rights and obligations under a lease to a new tenant, for example when a business is sold. Both landlord and incoming tenant require legal advice and documentation. We handle lease assignments regularly.

What is a lease surrender?

A lease surrender is when a tenant and landlord agree to end the lease before its expiry date. This requires a formal deed of surrender and careful negotiation around make-good, outstanding rent, and bond. We advise both parties on the most practical approach.

What is a make-good obligation?

A make-good clause requires the tenant to return the premises to their original condition at the end of the lease. This can include removing fit-out, repainting, or repairing damage. These clauses vary significantly in scope and we advise tenants to understand them before signing. Read more about the potential consequences of a make-good clause.

Can you review a commercial lease I have already received from a landlord?

Yes. Lease review is a core part of our commercial leasing service. We will identify any terms that are uncommercial, unusual, or potentially harmful to your interests, and advise you on what to negotiate before you sign.

Do you handle industrial and retail leases as well as standard commercial office leases?

Yes. Our leasing team advises on all property types - industrial estates, commercial office buildings, retail shopping centres, and mixed-use developments. We have acted on some of Queensland's largest industrial and retail leasing portfolios.

What is a leasing portfolio management service?

For landlords with multiple tenants, we provide ongoing leasing administration - advising on tenant-related matters, interpreting lease obligations, managing rent recovery, and handling renewals, amendments, and tenant departures across an entire portfolio.

Have a chat with us

We pride ourselves on offering quality, timely & affordable personalised service. Explore how we could assist your needs by having a no obligation chat with one of our directors:

or Submit an enquiry