Regulation Guide · 2026. 07

Building Checklist Before Signing a Commercial Lease —
For Business Owners

Q: What should I check about a building before signing a commercial lease?

First, whether the ledger's registered use matches my business type. If not, a use change is needed, and some buildings simply can't accommodate one due to parking, septic capacity, or fire-code limits. Also check for unauthorized-structure markings and the fire/evacuation conditions of that floor.

Q: Why does opening an academy require a use change?

Above a certain scale, an academy falls under 'educational research facility' rather than 'neighborhood living facility.' Converting to that category can trigger current-code requirements like accessibility facilities and firefighter access windows, so confirming the cost and feasibility before signing a lease is essential.

Q: Why does a septic system become a problem for a restaurant startup?

Restaurants have a higher wastewater generation standard, so if the building's septic capacity is insufficient, the business registration itself can be blocked. This isn't an issue on public sewer lines, but buildings with private septic systems need their capacity checked, and expansion is costly. Confirm the septic capacity and the combined load of current tenants before signing.

LEA Architects · Junsu Kim, Architect

The Document to Check Before Goodwill Money

Business owners spend months on market analysis and goodwill negotiation, but often confirm whether their business is even legally allowed in that building only after signing. The moment an interior contractor says "you can't get a use change here," your deposit and goodwill money are frozen while the business stalls. Flip the order — check these 5 things before you sign.

Pre-lease building checklist

A True Story — What It Took to Open One Academy

Our completed Jungdong remodeling in Giheung-gu, Yongin is a textbook case. Opening a math academy in a neighborhood-facility unit required a use change to educational research facility, which triggered current code — a new firefighter access window, fire-rated gypsum board reinforcement, and accessibility-facility installation, all in cascade. The lease structure made it manageable, but signing without knowing these items in advance would have multiplied the "interior budget" several times over. View this project →

How to Check

Items 1 and 2 can be self-checked for free by pulling the building ledger through Gov24. Items 3–5 need drawings and a site check, so for academy, clinic, restaurant, or multi-use business types, one architect review before signing is the cheapest insurance you can buy. You can require the landlord to commit to "cooperation on use change" and "resolution of violations" as special contract clauses, and the wording of those clauses becomes a lifeline in any dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What should I check about a building before signing a commercial lease?

Matching the ledger use to your business type comes first. Mismatches need a use change that some buildings can't accommodate due to parking, septic, or fire-code limits. Also check violation markings.

Q. Why does opening an academy require a use change?

Above a certain scale, academies fall under 'educational research facility.' Conversion can trigger accessibility facilities and firefighter access windows — confirm cost and feasibility before signing.

Q. Why does a septic system become a problem for a restaurant startup?

Restaurants have higher wastewater standards, so insufficient septic capacity can block business registration. Check capacity and combined tenant load before signing for private-septic buildings.

Commercial Lease Checklist · Academy Use Change · Restaurant Septic System · Pre-Lease Checks · Neighborhood Facility · LEA Architects

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