Just as you would spend time and effort choosing the perfect home for your family, it’s important to do the same for your business. Failure to do your due diligence can sometimes mean you end up renting an office that’s not suitable for your needs or doesn’t align with your business goals. 

Fortunately, choosing the perfect office rental doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be entirely straightforward by taking these actions: 

Prioritize Location

Whether you’re looking for an office for lease in the Melbourne area or an entire office block in New York, location should be one of your primary considerations. An office might tick all the right boxes for size, features, and price, but it can be entirely impractical for your everyday business operations if it’s in the wrong location. 

Think about commute times for employees, parking for customers and workers, and its proximity to public transport, eateries, and business associates. These can all be driving factors in selecting the most suitable office for your business.

Search with a Budget in Mind

Browse various office lease platforms, and you’re bound to find hundreds of offices for rent that have all the features you need. It quickly becomes overwhelming. However, you may reduce the time it takes to find the most suitable premises by searching with a budget in mind.

While there is no fixed rule for the percentage of your income that your business rent should be, it’s important to rent within your means. Most industries aim for between 2-20% of their revenue. Not exceeding this percentage range may ensure you don’t put your business under financial stress. 

Read Lease Terms Carefully

Lease terms can vary from one property to the next. Review these carefully with the help of a business lawyer to ensure the premises will be both affordable and suitable.

In particular, take note of the lease duration, your options for renewal, and expected rent increases. You may also look out for charges or penalties you may face if you want to end your lease early.

It can be tempting to sign on the dotted line when you find the perfect premises, but wait until you’ve sought legal advice. They may recommend negotiating specific terms to ensure you aren’t unfairly disadvantaged in an agreement. 

Pay Attention to Amenities and Infrastructure

Most commercial property owners ensure their tenants have access to all the business-related amenities and infrastructure they need for everyday operations. Still, it doesn’t hurt to check and ensure you’ll have what you need.

At a minimum, you’ll need access to internet services, phone lines, security features, and heating and cooling systems. Of equal importance are kitchen facilities, conference rooms, and common areas. Consider writing a checklist when you view office spaces so you can ensure your preferred office space ticks all the right boxes. 

Consider Your Growth Plans

It’s always a good idea to consider your growth plans before you search for new business premises. Ask yourself whether you intend to reduce your staff, adopt a remote or hybrid work model, or grow exponentially.

Your growth plans may mean that a particular office space suits your needs now but won’t in the future. As a result, you may need to end your lease and move somewhere new long before you intended. 

Choosing the perfect office rental doesn’t have to be a complicated process, but it does need to be well thought out. Consider these factors above, and you may be settled into the perfect business premises before long.