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Top 5 things you should look out for when searching for office space

Searching for office space in any city can be exhausting. For one, it's daunting to navigate the commercial real estate scene on your own, which may be better handled with a savvy real estate agent.

Written by
Marc Schwery
Published on
October 21, 2024

When searching for office space and commercial premises for rent, you should consider the following top 5 aspects. Understand the lease terms, including duration and termination clauses. Evaluate included amenities and their impact on costs. Assess surrounding businesses and growth potential. Check maintenance obligations and ensure the space meets your needs. Consider both traditional leasing options and serviced offices. By paying attention to these factors, you can optimize your search for the perfect, needs-based office space.


 

Lease Agreement

When you are looking for office space, ensure that you understand the terms that can alter the lease agreement. While it might seem advantageous to sign a lease for seven years because the rent is lower if you are a new business, a seven-year lease may not be practical for your company. If you decide to sign a lease for a specific period, you should also inform yourself about the conditions under which the lease can be terminated, and what penalties may apply in the event of termination.


 

Find out which amenities are included in the lease. Generally, rental costs are cheaper without included amenities, but your bills will vary from month to month. Conversely, the rental price increases when amenities are included, but your bill remains consistent.


 

Nearby Businesses

Another consideration you should make relates to the businesses in the surrounding area. One way to attract new business is the foot traffic coming into the area. Furthermore, you should ensure that there are no companies in the vicinity that could represent competition for your venture. It is simply good to get an idea of the business environment to avoid setting up your business in a location that is hostile to business.


 

Maintenance Costs

Prospective tenants should also pay attention to the lease to understand the obligations of the tenant and the landlord. Usually, the manager takes care of repairs to the office, but common areas are not included. Additionally, it is good to know who pays for office cleaning when deciding on a lease.



 

Potential Growth

Also consider the space in terms of your company's growth potential. If you are starting a new business, this will be difficult until the first year, but you also do not want to rent a space that is too small. There are online calculators that can tell you how much space you need per person. It is therefore a good idea to calculate for the people and items you currently have, and then add extra for growth.


 

Modernized Space

The worst that can happen is moving into a space that is not retrofitted for modern business. In the end, the location might be great and could be perfect for your business, but the costs of equipping it for a modern business could be too expensive. Before signing a lease, especially in older neighborhoods, ensure that the office is equipped with modern technology.


 

The Search for the Perfect Lease

These are just a few of the most important considerations to keep in mind when searching for premises. In today's real estate market, tenants are lucky to have options; as previously mentioned, sometimes the serviced office can reduce the stress of office space by streamlining the rental process. Whether you choose the serviced office or the traditional route, there is a solution for your company.


 

The search for office space for rent does not have to be an ordeal, especially if you are aware of the pitfalls for your average business. Indeed, there are countless websites on the internet that can help potential tenants look for red flags in office leasing. Regardless of whether you decide to rent popular serviced offices or go through an established leasing agent, your search for the perfect office can become so much easier if you consider a few factors.


 

Let's take a closer look at some key areas you need to consider when looking for office space for your business.