Most tenants focus on moving in and forget that the lease also defines how they must leave. Reinstatement, or make-good, is the obligation to return the space to an agreed condition at lease end. Misjudging it leads to disputes with the landlord, withheld deposits, and rushed, expensive work.
Read the lease first
Reinstatement scope lives in the lease. Some require the space returned to bare shell, others to the original handover condition, others simply in good repair. The obligation must be read carefully and early, not discovered in the final weeks.
Scope the works correctly
Once the obligation is clear, the works are scoped: removing fit-out, making good walls, ceilings, and flooring, reinstating base building services, and cleaning. Scoping correctly avoids both under-delivering, which triggers landlord claims, and over-delivering, which wastes money.
Coordinate with the landlord
Agreeing the reinstatement standard with the landlord or building management before work starts prevents end-of-lease disputes. Documentation of the agreed scope protects both sides, similar to the discipline in handover maintenance.
Deliver on time
Reinstatement usually has to finish before the lease expiry to avoid holdover charges. That makes planning and contractor coordination time-critical, drawing on the same control as fit-out coordination.
Compliant handback
The space is handed back with the agreed works done, systems reinstated, and documentation provided, closing the lease cleanly. To manage an office reinstatement, explore Broman's FM services or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
What is office reinstatement?
Also called make-good, it is the tenant's lease obligation to return the space to an agreed condition at lease end, which can range from bare shell to original handover condition.
How do I know what reinstatement my lease requires?
The obligation is written in the lease. Read the make-good clause early to see whether the space must be returned to shell, to original condition, or simply in good repair.
Why agree the scope with the landlord first?
Agreeing and documenting the reinstatement standard before works start prevents end-of-lease disputes and protects the tenant from later claims or withheld deposits.
