Renting commercial property: how do you check use, facilities and move-in costs?
When choosing commercial property, first confirm the space suits your actual business, then compare rent, power supply, loading and unloading and fit-out arrangements. The area or the name it is advertised under may not reflect how it can be used or what moving in will cost.
Write down your business needs first
List how you operate, the number of staff and visitors, opening hours, and your goods and equipment needs. Food handling, retail, studios and storage have different requirements; use, licences, fire safety and fit-out arrangements should be checked against the specific property and business, and cannot be confirmed from the listing category alone.
- State whether you need office, shop, industrial or storage space.
- Measure equipment height and weight, and the doorway and lift dimensions.
- Check the use and the arrangements your business needs with a suitable professional.
Which facilities should you test at a viewing?
Find out about the power supply, air-conditioning hours, internet and the arrangements for using common areas. If you need deliveries, look at the goods vehicle route, the loading bay and the goods lift on site, and confirm service hours and extra charges. Record the restrictions and booking rules given by the management office.
- Check the ceiling height and usable area.
- Ask whether there are separate meters, and about the management fee and air-conditioning surcharge.
- Confirm fit-out approval, permitted working hours and reinstatement requirements.
How do you compare total cost?
List rent, management fee, equipment, fit-out, removal and reinstatement on leaving separately. Ask for the handover condition and the written terms of any rent-free arrangement, then assess the move-in timing. A cheaper unit with inadequate facilities may need more preparation time and spending.
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Monthly costs | Rent, management fee, air-conditioning and other service charges |
| Move-in costs | Fit-out, equipment, connections and removal |
| Timing | Handover, works, start of operation and reinstatement on leaving |
Common questions
If it is listed as a studio, does it necessarily suit my business?
Not necessarily. You still need to check item by item against the property's actual use, facilities and management rules, and against the licences and requirements your business needs.