Marcus Tan

Marcus started as a legal associate at one of Singapore’s top property law firms. He spent five years there, handling everything from lease disputes to contract reviews. But after working with dozens of frustrated clients, he realized something: most people didn’t need complex legal arguments. They needed someone who understood both the law and the reality of running a business or managing a property.

So in 2011, he made the switch to consultancy work. Instead of defending clients in court, he started helping them avoid court altogether by negotiating better lease terms from the start. This meant diving deep into market conditions, understanding what both sides actually wanted, and finding solutions that worked. It’s harder than it sounds — but it’s where real value gets created.

His big breakthrough came in 2015. A major retail chain operating in Ang Mo Kio needed to renew their lease, and negotiations were stalled. Marcus stepped in, analyzed the market data, understood what the landlord really needed (stability, not just higher rent), and structured a deal that gave the tenant 18 months of security and the landlord predictable income. Both sides were satisfied. That case changed everything for his practice.

Now, as Senior Lease Negotiation Specialist at Contract Compass, Marcus works with clients across Singapore’s HDB and private sectors. He’s handled over 200 lease renewals. He’s seen nearly every problem that can come up. And he’s genuinely good at helping people solve them.