Leases begin by naming the landlord and the tenant.
Make sure that the person, partnership or corporation named as landlord is the owner of the property. Although this may seem to go without saying, believe me, it often doesn't. A husband may not have legal authority to sign leases for space in a building owned solely by his wife. Or if they can sign a lease, they may be able to offer only certain terms and concessions. If you have any doubts about whom you're dealing with and what authority they have, ask to see a deed or title insurance policy to verify that the named landlord really owns the building.