Subletting a commercial space

You are going to sign a contract, you need a lawyer to review it. Don't sign anything without a perfect understanding of your obligations, because there is no recourse.

Thank You Maly, are you suggesting that i should propose a contract?

Maly, disregard my last comment, i can be so naive! But i'm learning a lot in the last hour...

A lease (or sublease in your case) is a contract. Unlike residential leases, you have no protection or any assumption; all the terms are negotiable. You need to define what you are renting, access, use, length of term, services, etc.. An experienced lawyer can review the lease, do a background check on the leaseholder and make sure you do not enter into an unequal & unfavorable arrangement.

Thank You, valuable advise! I am going in to this thinking to need the place for 6 months to a year, and at first was convinced that a verbal agreement would suffice. I used to hold the lease in a commercial loft once (12 years ago) and had subleased the space twice and never had a contract, just basically introduced the subtenant to the landlord and that was it, and none of us had any problems (the last subtenant eventually took over the lease and is still there) Because of the short term nature of my current needs (this is an experiment for me, i normally work from my home) I didn't think of involving a lawyer, let alone the expenses involved with hiring one, in fact i'd like to avoid them, unless i am committing to a longer term . Thank You for being a eye opener. I will start researching on my right and will buying a sublease agreement form

Seven if you are still looking for space in garment district I know of one. Email me for more details db@resnewyork.com

seven7...does it have to be in the GD?
What type (generally) work do you need to use the space for, ie: art, manufacturing, consumer goods?
What size space?
I know of some options, depending upon what you need.