The Real Estate Encyclopedia & Blog

Step-Up Lease

by | Feb 10, 2026

In real estate leasing, a step up lease is a lease agreement that provides for predetermined increases in rent at specified intervals during the lease term. The rent adjustments are set in advance and do not depend on market conditions.

Step up leases are commonly used in long term leasing to account for anticipated increases in operating costs or inflation. By establishing scheduled rent increases, both the landlord and tenant gain predictability in future rental obligations.