EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU LEASE YOUR FIRST SPACE
Windsor is known for being dependent on the
automotive industry, but with the recent announcement from Chrysler about going
back to two shifts, it is becoming more clear to everyone that diversification
is essential to continue feeding the growth that Windsor- Essex has experienced
in the last 3 years. One of the other major factors that drive this economy are
small businesses.
We personally get calls everyday from entrepreneurs who have a great idea and a plan to execute, however need help with one of the most important aspects of starting/growing a business; a place to actually run their business! This is why we have put together this step-by-step guide to commercial leasing to make it easier for entrepreneurs to get everything they need to bring their idea to life!
--------
STEP 1: LOCATION
Everybody knows location is everything in
business, and to be in the right location for YOUR business can make or break
new businesses, especially in their first few years. Are you a destination or a
walk-in based business? Do you have to be on the 1st floor? What
demographics are you trying to target? Do you need to be on a public
transportation route? Do you have a complementary business that you would like
to be close to? These are just a
few of the questions that we ask when finding you that perfect location.
--------
STEP 2: ZONING
Every property has a zoning that has a list of
specific permitted uses. Before
you spend too much time on a location, make sure the zoning permits your
business to operate in the space
--------
STEP 3: NET LEASE VS GROSS LEASE
NET LEASE
A Net Lease is typically what we see in
commercial real estate; this lease is broken down into net rent, additional
rent (operating costs), and utilities. The net rent is basically how much the
Landlord’s charging you to use their space, this is the only rate that can be
negotiated when leasing. Operating costs are how much it costs the landlord to
run the building even if it was empty, this typically includes property taxes,
building insurance, common area maintenance, garbage and snow removal, building
repairs and maintenance, etc. All of these yearly costs are added up and
divided by the total leasable square footage of the building, and the Tenant is
responsible for their proportionate share. Typically when you see this type of
lease, each unit is responsible for putting utilities in their own name and pay
based on usage.
The lease rates you see are usually per square foot in the unit, per year. To get your total monthly cost, you must add the net rent and additional rent together, multiply it by the total square footage of the space, and divide that by 12. Utilities are use dependent, but as an example, we typically advise office users to budget $2.50 per square foot per year on utilities. If the lease is “Triple Net” then the Tenant is also responsible for any repairs to major capital items (Plumbing, HVAC, etc) that may be required during the term of the lease. If you are getting into a Triple Net Lease, be sure to have all these items inspected.
The lease rates you see are usually per square foot in the unit, per year. To get your total monthly cost, you must add the net rent and additional rent together, multiply it by the total square footage of the space, and divide that by 12. Utilities are use dependent, but as an example, we typically advise office users to budget $2.50 per square foot per year on utilities. If the lease is “Triple Net” then the Tenant is also responsible for any repairs to major capital items (Plumbing, HVAC, etc) that may be required during the term of the lease. If you are getting into a Triple Net Lease, be sure to have all these items inspected.
GROSS LEASE
This is typically seen in older buildings and
buildings where utilities aren’t separated. This means that the price
advertised is your “all in” monthly rent and you have no other costs for
leasing the building. However some landlords will still require you to pay for
utilities on top of this amount, make sure this is clearly understood before
signing the lease.
--------
STEP 4: TENANT IMPROVEMENTS
Chances are the space you lease is going to need
some renovations to make it suitable for your business, if it doesn’t; this is
what we call “Turn Key”. There are many ways to go about Tenant
improvements, and it largely depends on the specific situation and preference
of the Tenant and the Landlord, and is negotiated before signing. Some of these methods include:
Rent Free Time – the first few months in your
new space is rent free so you can spend that money on improvements and you are
open for business and making money when your first rent cheque is due.
Tenant Improvement Allowance: - If the lease
space is in rough shape or needs lots of renovations, sometimes the Landlord
will give an improvement allowance so the Tenant can build out the space to
their requirements and in exchange will sign a long term lease. The Landlord will
reimburse the Tenant the agreed upon amount once renovations are complete and
receipts are provided to prove the money has been spent in the unit and all
proper permits pulled.
Landlord Build Out – This is where the Landlord
will build out the space to the Tenants requirements, and typically in this
situation we see Tenants paying higher rental rates so the Landlord can
amortize the cost of the improvements over the Term of the lease.
--------
Overall, these are just a few of the things to
consider when Leasing a commercial space.
Be an informed tenant and your lease transaction should go
smoothly. Also consider working
with a qualified commercial leasing expert to make sure your interests are
protected!
No comments:
Post a Comment