Dual agency remains a legally permitted structure in commercial real estate, where a brokerage represents both landlords and tenants in the same transaction. While this model continues to exist, business leaders are increasingly prioritizing representation structures that provide clarity, loyalty, and exclusive advocacy.
This article provides a general overview of representation models and explains why many companies choose conflict-free tenant representation for strategic decisions.
Why Dual Agency Exists
Dual agency developed as a convenience-based model, enabling brokers to centralize market information and property listings. Large full-service firms often maintain extensive landlord portfolios, which can influence the representation structure they offer to occupiers.
However, even routine lease transactions can influence future business priorities, including lease renewals, expansion flexibility, build-out needs, and long-term real estate costs.
For this reason, many organizations now prefer representation models that avoid divided interests.
Neutrality vs. Exclusive Advocacy
In a dual-agency arrangement, the brokerage must remain neutral.
Neutrality can limit the tenant’s ability to secure confidential strategy, competitive leverage, and long-term flexibility.
Conflict-free tenant representation, by contrast, enables:
- Exclusive loyalty to the occupier
- Objective market analysis
- Competitive negotiation strategy
- Confidential evaluation of landlord proposals
- Alignment with long-term business objectives
Organizations seeking clarity and confidence often find this structure better supports decision-making.
Why Many Occupiers Choose Conflict-Free Representation
Companies focused on transparency and long-term control frequently choose tenant-only representation for the following reasons:
- Unbiased property analysis
- Ability to create competitive tension among landlords
- Confidential negotiation strategy
- Clear alignment with corporate objectives
- Defensible decision-making at leadership level
These priorities are especially meaningful in leases involving significant capital, specialized space, or multi-market planning.
Keyser’s Approach
At Keyser, we represent only tenants and owner-occupiers.
We do not represent landlords in any lease or sale transaction.
This model is designed to ensure exclusive advocacy and alignment with occupier priorities.
Our team supports clients across office, industrial, manufacturing, medical, education, and retail environments through:
- Market benchmarking
- Strategic negotiation support
- Full-market evaluation
- Global partner network
- AI-assisted research and intelligence tools
Closing Thought
Dual agency is legally permitted in Arizona and other U.S. markets.
However, many organizations choose representation models that provide confidentiality, leverage, and exclusive advocacy.
When the outcome matters, clarity of representation can support clarity of results.
If you are evaluating upcoming space needs, renewals, or market strategy and would like an independent review, our team is available to assist.
Contact Us:
Address: 6400 E. McDowell Rd, Ste. 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Phone: (602) 9. KEYSER
Email: info@keyser.com
Free Lease Review:
Get clarity and confidence before your next negotiation. Request your complimentary lease review here → www.keyser.com/lease-review
