Renting office space is going to be one of your biggest expenses. Because of that it’s imperative that you do your due diligence to ensure that the spaces you are considering will meet your current and future needs. There are a lot of things to consider and many of those you can find out directly from the landlord. Below are a few questions to ask landlords and get answers to ensure you get the information you need to make the best choice on a space that will meet your needs.
- Do you have the size square footage that I am looking for?
- What if I need to expand, how are you able to accommodate my growth needs?
- Is the square footage you mentioned based on usable or rentable square feet?
- What is the common area factor?
- Do you have an office layout that can accommodate my needs or are you willing to build out a space to meet my needs?
- Do you have a copy of the floor plans?
- Who will be responsible for paying for tenant improvements?
- Who manages the build out of the space?
- What is the asking base rent and estimated operating expenses per year?
- Are you offering any free rent?
- What is the minimum lease term you will do?
- Can you name some of the other tenants in the building?
- What is the building parking ratio?
- Are there any signage opportunities in the building?
- What internet providers service the building?
- Am I able to control the thermostat in my office?
- How much is using the HVAC after hours?
- What all will be required at lease signing?
- How much general liability and personal property insurance coverage will you require?
These are just a few of the questions you need to ask landlords and get answers to before agreeing to sign a lease at an office building. Most tenants don’t do this and end up getting negatively surprised later on. If you ask these questions you will be able to make better comparisons to other office buildings and pick the one that is best suitable for your needs.