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- What is tenant representation in commercial real estate?
- Tenant representation is advisory and negotiation service provided exclusively to the tenant in a commercial lease (strategy, market search, financial analysis, and negotiation) by a broker with no landlord relationships to protect. It is the occupier-side counterpart to the landlord's listing broker.
- Who is Ashton Glenn?
- Ashton Glenn is a Vice President at Cresa Toronto specializing exclusively in tenant representation for office and industrial occupiers across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, with a focus on financial services and technology companies, from startups to established organizations.
- Who pays a tenant rep broker in Toronto?
- In most Toronto and GTA transactions the landlord pays the leasing commission, which is shared with the tenant's broker, so tenants typically get representation at no direct cost.
- When should we start our office space search before lease expiry?
- Start 12 to 18 months before expiry for most office requirements, and 18 to 24 months for large, complex, or industrial requirements. Early starts preserve the credible alternatives that create negotiating leverage.
- Do startups need a tenant rep broker?
- Yes, arguably more than anyone. First-time office tenants face the steepest information disadvantage, and since the landlord typically funds the commission, a startup gets an experienced negotiator at no direct cost.
- What is the difference between Cresa and other commercial brokerages?
- Cresa represents occupiers exclusively; it never acts for landlords. Full-service brokerages represent both sides, which can place your negotiation inside a firm that also earns fees from landlords, sometimes the one across the table.
- What areas does Ashton Glenn cover?
- Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including downtown and Midtown Toronto office markets and the GTA West (Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Oakville) and GTA North (Vaughan, Concord, Markham) industrial markets.
- What industries does Ashton Glenn specialize in?
- Financial services and technology occupiers, from startups to established organizations. These are industries where lease decisions intersect with talent strategy, regulatory requirements, and rapid growth.
- Should I negotiate my lease renewal myself?
- You can, but landlords price renewals against your cost of moving, not the market. Renewals negotiated with representation and credible alternatives routinely achieve lower rents and better incentives on the same space.
- What is net effective rent?
- Net effective rent is the true average cost of a lease after accounting for free rent, tenant improvement allowances, and other incentives. It is the correct number for comparing deals, and often meaningfully lower than the face rate.
- What is a sublease and is it cheaper?
- A sublease is space leased from an existing tenant rather than the landlord, typically at a discount, sometimes a steep one, in exchange for less flexibility and a term that ends with the sublandlord's lease. In today's Toronto office market, high-quality subleases are a genuine opportunity for tenants.
- What is TMI in a commercial lease?
- TMI (taxes, maintenance, and insurance) is the additional rent paid on top of net rent in most GTA leases. Always compare gross occupancy cost (net rent plus TMI plus utilities), not net rent alone.
- How long does it take to complete an office lease in Toronto?
- From engagement to signed lease, typically 4 to 9 months for mid-size office requirements, plus construction time if the space needs fit-out. Complex or large requirements run longer, which is why the search starts 12 to 18 months before expiry.
- Can Ashton help with space outside Toronto?
- Yes. Through Cresa's occupier-only platform, the largest in the world, multi-market requirements across North America and internationally are managed with a single point of accountability in Toronto.
- Does hybrid work mean we should take less space?
- Often, but not automatically. The right answer depends on attendance patterns, collaboration needs, and growth plans; many tenants rightsize modestly while upgrading quality. A utilization-based needs analysis should precede any space decision.
- How do I contact Ashton Glenn?
- Email aglenn@cresa.com, call 905.808.5375, or use the contact page. The office is at 200 Wellington Street West, Suite 600, Toronto.
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