Nunavut Commercial Lease Guide (Canada)

Commercial Lease Guide for Nunavut

A practical, tenant-focused guide to Nunavut commercial leases — not legal advice.

Not legal advice. Use this as a checklist and discuss with a qualified professional.

What to know before you sign

In Nunavut, the “real rent” is often driven by utilities, logistics, and repair timelines. Leases should reflect the reality that certain repairs and deliveries take longer and cost more.

Protect your business with measurable utility rules, clear repair vs. replacement boundaries, and timelines that align rent start with opening readiness.

Major markets

Where leasing norms concentrate.

Iqaluit
Rankin Inlet
Cambridge Bay

Common lease types

Typical structures and what to watch.

Retail: modified gross or net (utilities and operating-cost clarity)
Office: modified gross (after-hours HVAC and shared-meter allocation)
Industrial/storage: net lease (maintenance boundaries must be explicit)

Cost drivers

Items that often create surprise bills.

Utilities/heating allocation and shared-meter risk
Logistics-driven repair cost and timing (vendor availability)
Tenant improvement approvals and construction timelines
Snow/ice and exterior maintenance scope
CAM definitions and capital pass-throughs

Key things to watch in Nunavut

Leasing norms and pass-through structures vary by province/territory. Here are top issues we see for tenants in Nunavut:

Repair & Maintenance Clarity

Remote logistics can make repairs expensive. Clearly define repair vs. replacement obligations and avoid open-ended pass-throughs.

Negotiation checklist

Utilities made measurable

Require a clear utility allocation method (submetering preferred). Avoid vague “tenant pays utilities” clauses without measurement.

Timeline protections and rent start

Tie rent start to a usable premises and required approvals/buildout completion. Add remedies for landlord delays and extended outages.

Repairs vs. replacement clarity

Separate routine maintenance from major replacements. Negotiate caps or landlord responsibility for capital items (roof/HVAC/structural).

Winter and exterior scope

Define snow/ice responsibilities, areas, and service levels. Avoid open-ended responsibilities without a budget.

Define and audit operating costs

If costs are passed through, require budgets, annual reconciliation, and audit rights. Exclude capital replacements (or amortize).

Exit flexibility

Negotiate assignment/sublease flexibility and consider shorter terms if your business model is still proving out.

Common landlord traps

Uncapped pass-throughs: Operating costs, taxes, and insurance can rise year-to-year without a cap.
Capital replacements billed to tenant: Avoid language that makes you pay for roof/HVAC replacement.
Short notice deadlines: Renewal and termination rights can depend on strict written notice windows.

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Official resources

Government of Nunavut — business and finance Nunavut government directory Canada Business Network

Other tools

Frequently asked questions

What should Nunavut tenants focus on first?

Utilities, repair timelines, and buildout timing. Make costs measurable and tie rent start to opening readiness so delays don’t become rent obligations.

How do I avoid paying for major building replacements?

Separate routine maintenance from capital replacement in writing and negotiate caps or landlord responsibility for roof/HVAC/structural items.

Does BizLeaseCheck provide legal advice?

No. It helps you spot common risks and compare leases quickly, but it’s not legal advice. Use it alongside qualified professional review for your situation.