Separate landlord and tenant construction scope

Use one responsibility list to clarify who provides, pays for, installs and accepts each part of the restaurant work.

New Restaurant · Guide · Updated October 30, 2026

Read the agreed documents together

Your lease, work letter, landlord criteria and drawings may describe different parts of the work. Ask a qualified lease adviser to resolve unclear or conflicting obligations.

Give the design and construction teams the agreed requirements they need. Do not replace a documented obligation with an assumption about normal landlord practice.

  • Collect the lease, work letter and landlord criteria.
  • Identify the documents used to resolve conflicts.
  • Record agreed access and handover conditions.

Break each item into separate tasks

Saying an item is tenant work may leave its design, purchase or final connection unclear. Describe the tasks separately when more than one party is involved.

Pay particular attention to utilities, roof penetrations, fire systems, common areas and equipment. Include testing, patching and cleanup rather than ending the list at installation.

  • Name who designs, supplies, installs and connects the item.
  • Name who obtains access and reviews.
  • Name who tests and accepts the finished work.

Carry the boundaries into every bid

Send the responsibility list with the drawings and require bidders to identify exceptions. Compare each exception with the landlord documents before choosing a contractor.

If an unresolved item remains, record the pricing assumption and next decision. Update the documents when the parties agree, including any schedule effect.

  • Mark owner purchases and work by other contractors.
  • Resolve duplicate charges and missing tasks.
  • Keep the agreed list with the signed scope.

What to check next

  • Collect the landlord and tenant work documents.
  • Divide shared items into clear tasks.
  • Ask bidders to identify scope exceptions.
  • Resolve gaps with the appropriate advisers.

Related reading

Choose your next step

Find contractors with relevant restaurant experience, or talk with us about where your project stands.

Official resources

Check with the agency responsible for your property. City and County resources below apply within their respective jurisdictions.

Content updated .