If you are considering moving your office, there are a few things you should confirm before you sign a lease. The new premises must meet your needs and it is a good idea to clarify some points before you put pen to paper.
One of the first things you need to know is whether the office is serviced or unserviced, which is important because you need to know how much daily maintenance you will have to do yourself. If the landlord does not provide a cleaning service then you will need to arrange this yourself, not to mention all the fixtures and fittings that you will have to provide. Check who is responsible for the maintenance of the building and it is also a good idea to go around the building and make sure that all the windows can be opened – you don’t need to find out after your commercial relocation that fresh air is not going to be accessible!
You should also talk to the landlord about the security of the new premises. Are there security cameras? What about crime rates in the area? Moving offices is pointless if you are going to be in a high-risk neighborhood with no protection.
You also need to know what changes you can make. Will the lease allow you to redecorate?Are there restrictions on the type of business that you can operate? Is there a kitchen? If not, are you allowed to put one in?
