Commercial lease negotiation issue log: a template for every round

A lease negotiation issue log is a running record of unresolved business and drafting decisions. Each item needs a stable identifier, source language, current positions, status, owner, and next action. Keep the same log across rounds so unanswered requests remain visible when a new attachment arrives.

Download the issue log worksheet. Use it alongside the redline, not as a substitute for reviewing the full draft and exhibits.

Track one decision per item

“Fix Article 8” is too broad. “Confirm whether the proposed CAM cap excludes insurance” is a decision that someone can answer. If a provision raises three independent questions, use three linked items so accepting one does not accidentally close the others.

A clause number is a useful reference but a poor permanent identifier because numbering changes. Use an identifier such as CAM-01 and update its document location each round.

A complete issue record

• ID and topic: CAM-01; scope of expense cap.
• Current source: [filename, date, section, exact quotation].
• Earlier position: [requested wording or business objective].
• Counterparty response: [quotation or documented response; none if unanswered].
• Status: open, proposed resolution, agreed pending draft, closed, or reopened.
• Impact: [money, timing, operational effect, or counsel question].
• Owner and next action: [person; specific action; internal target date].
• Closure evidence: [agreed wording and verified version].

These are suggested workflow statuses. Keep them distinct from “accepted” or “rejected” revision marks in Word, which describe document edits and may not establish business approval.

Worked example across three rounds

In an illustrative first round, the tenant requests a $40 per square foot allowance and the draft states $32. The item is open, with quotations from the LOI and work letter.

In round two, a cover email says the allowance increase is acceptable, but the work letter still states $32. Record “agreed pending draft,” retain the email reference, and ask for the document update. Do not close the item because the commercial discussion sounds finished.

In round three, the work letter states $40. Verify the area, qualifying costs, and any changed conditions that affect the same decision. Once the responsible reviewer confirms the resolution, record the version and close the item. If a later draft returns to $32, reopen the same item so its history remains available.

Separate new, carried, and unanswered work

At the start of a round, identify new changes, prior edits still present, and requests that received no response. Unchanged language may be an unresolved issue even though it generates no fresh markup.

Do not count repeated marks as new concessions. Conversely, do not assume that the disappearance of marks means the underlying issue was resolved. Compare the text and status against the prior record. Our redline reading guide explains the broader review sequence.

Write a client update that asks for decisions

Use three short groups: resolved items, decisions needed, and items awaiting the other side. For each decision, state the current proposal, the business consequence, and the specific question. Separate a known dollar difference from an estimate or an unresolved interpretation.

CRE Redline's redline workflow carries open items across rounds and supports a client digest. The log remains useful when people verify the source, record actual approvals, and keep counsel questions assigned to counsel. Before execution, reconcile every remaining item with the signing checklist.