2 Questions To Ask When Renting A Business Premises

Renting business space can be complicated. Whilst a lot of it is the same are renting residential property, there are a number of other things which you should consider. With rent, running costs and general provisions, there are things which will be contained within your lease that are in place to protect your business, your employees and your landlord. 

But, what a lot of business owners don’t realise is that a commercial lease is highly detailed and a very serious legal commitment - some lease contracts can be over 50 pages long, with many points directly affecting your bottom line. Deciding to rent a business premises is a big decision to make as a business owner and there are many things which you should take into consideration. With that in mind, let’s take a look at 2 questions you should ask when renting a business premises. 

Is The Building A Good Fit For Your Business?

Before deciding on your business premises, it’s important to look at what rights will be contained within your lease and which ones you have a right to. As well as renting, a lot of tenants are expected to be responsible for service charges and business rates. If you are expected to cover this cost, then always be sure to check the efficiency rating of the building you are looking to rent and whether this is covered by your landlord’s fees - improvements can result in unexpected fees.

Also, make sure that your business lease lays out which rules and regulations apply to the building, including communal or common areas, parking spaces and delivery rooms. Be sure to look for “permitted” use as all communal leases should stipulate a permitted use. Before signing on the dotted line, check with your landlord, commercial property agents or planning authority that the designated use of the building doesn’t conflict with your intended purpose as you may find that in the future you need to apply for planning permission to get “change of use”.

Who Carries Out Repairs?

Commercial leases will typically require you to keep the property in a good state of repair and decoration. Even if you occupied the property when the building or premises was in poor condition, then this may still apply. You should always look to inspect the property before you commit to signing on a lease and instructing a surveyor to examine the property before you make a final decision on the lease is highly recommended as you can then raise any concerns with your landlord, who may then even considering lowering the rent. 

A pre-lease survey will identify issues such as damp or rot and can save you from having to pay for unexpected repairs. Usually, at the end of a lease, you will need to return the property in its original condition, also known as dilapidations. This is why it is good to know early on who will carry out any repairs in your property, as to whether the responsibility lies with you or an internal care taker or team. Always be sure to check your schedule of condition, too.