Can my landlord rent nearby space to a competitor?

Without an exclusivity clause, nothing stops your landlord from leasing nearby space to a direct competitor — even after you have built your patient base.

An exclusivity clause is lease language in which the landlord agrees not to lease other space in the property, or the development, to competing uses. For practices with expensive buildouts and loyal, location-bound patients — dental, med spa, physical therapy — it is one of the most valuable clauses in the lease. To be effective, it must define the protected services specifically rather than by vague business label, address existing-tenant carve-outs, and include real remedies such as rent reduction or termination if the landlord violates it. Exclusivity is negotiated at the letter of intent stage, while you still have leverage.