When looking to lease commercial property in the UK, there are several key steps you can take to ensure you negotiate the best possible deal for your business. Proper planning and preparation will enable you to secure favourable lease terms and avoid costly mistakes down the road.
Define Your Needs
Before starting your search, clearly define your requirements for the type of property, location, size, amenities, etc. Outline your must-haves versus nice-to-haves. This will help narrow your focus and identify the most suitable properties. Consider your current needs as well as future growth plans and how potential spaces can accommodate both.
Do Your Research
Conduct thorough market research on rental rates, incentives, operational costs, taxes, etc., in the desired area. Look at both current listings and data from recently signed leases for comparable spaces. This will give you a realistic sense of market prices to benchmark against when evaluating lease proposals.
Find a Good Broker
An experienced commercial real estate broker can be invaluable in negotiating lease terms. They have intimate knowledge of the local market and relationships with landlords. Brokers have access to off-market listings and can advise if landlords have flexibility on key provisions. Just be sure to find an agent who specialises in representing tenants.
Review the Lease Carefully
Carefully scrutinise every clause in the lease document, including the fine print. Key areas to focus on include:
- Rental rates and escalations
- Operating expenses/pass-throughs
- Term length and options to renew
- Permitted use
- Exclusives
- Assignment/subletting
- Build-out requirements
- Maintenance responsibilities
- Insurance requirements
- Default conditions
Consult solicitors Hertfordshire or those who have expertise in commercial leases to help explain lease terms and negotiate favourable provisions.
Negotiate Concessions
Beyond base rent, there may be opportunities to negotiate concessions from the landlord. Typical concessions include a rent abatement period, moving allowance, built-out allowance for improvements, limiting operating expense pass-throughs, or offering a tenant improvement allowance. Don’t be shy to ask for concessions, as landlords expect negotiation.
Get it in Writing
Any agreed-upon terms, promises, or concessions should always be put in writing in the final lease document. Verbal agreements often lead to misunderstandings down the road once the lease is signed. Before signing anything, ensure that negotiated points are explicitly stated in the contract. Have your solicitor review the final lease.
Consider a Letter of Intent
As an intermediate step, consider signing a letter of intent (LOI) or memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines the key business points agreed upon before committing to the full lease contract. This helps ensure mutual understanding of major deal points and provides some legal recourse if negotiations break down before lease execution.
Manage Operational Costs
Beyond base rent, operational expenses like utilities, insurance, maintenance, parking, etc., can significantly impact your occupancy costs. Understand what expenses are included versus excluded in your rent payments and look for ways to limit exposure, like getting separate utility meters or capping your share of increases.
Plan for Changes
Leave room to accommodate future changes in your business. Negotiate terms like subletting, assignment, termination option, and flexibility on use that make the lease more favourable should your needs change during the term.
Following these key steps will help you negotiate from a position of strength and maximise your leverage in commercial lease discussions. Do your homework, clearly communicate your needs, and don’t be afraid to press for concessions. With proper preparation and negotiation, you can optimise your lease terms and avoid unfavourable provisions that could hinder your business down the road.
The post How to Negotiate a Commercial Lease first appeared on Mini School.