{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/pre-leasing","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/pre-leasing","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"pre-leasing","term":"Pre-leasing","group":"Reading the business","definition":"Securing lease agreements for a property or space before it's fully developed or ready for occupancy. This is more common in real estate development.","what_it_means":"While less common for existing small business acquisitions, if your deal involves acquiring a business that's moving into a new, not-yet-ready space, pre-leasing agreements would be part of your due diligence. Evaluate the terms and conditions to ensure the new location will be ready and suitable for operations on time.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/pre-leasing","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"lease-agreement","term":"Lease agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lease-agreement"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"owner-occupied-commercial-real-estate","term":"Owner-occupied commercial real estate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/owner-occupied-commercial-real-estate"},{"slug":"leasehold-improvement","term":"Leasehold improvement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/leasehold-improvement"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can a business whose primary income is from owning and leasing real estate be eligible for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-business-whose-primary-income-is-from-owning-and-leasing-real-estate-be-eligible-for"},{"question":"Which pre-closing business expenses can count towards equity?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/which-pre-closing-business-expenses-can-count-towards-equity"},{"question":"What documentation is required if a business owner contributes pre-existing business equipment as equity?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-documentation-is-required-if-a-business-owner-contributes-pre-existing-business-equip"},{"question":"Can I pre-qualify for an SBA 7(a) loan before finding a specific business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-i-pre-qualify-for-an-sba-7-a-loan-before-finding-a-specific-business"},{"question":"Are pre-closing legal and accounting fees eligible to be counted towards my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-pre-closing-legal-and-accounting-fees-eligible-to-be-counted-towards-my-equity-injecti"},{"question":"If I contribute inventory purchased pre-closing for the acquired business, can it count as equity?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-contribute-inventory-purchased-pre-closing-for-the-acquired-business-can-it-count-as-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Pre-leasing","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/pre-leasing","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}