Buying or leasing office space is a much different situation than buying or leasing a home. Over the past couple years, corporate real estate was doing really well as businesses were booming and filling up their space quickly. However, with the economy now businesses are consolidating and getting rid of space, so things have changed significantly.
For people managing corporate real estate or handling office leasing they are going to be in for much tougher negotiations. Rental rates are at a much lower rate than they were a few years ago and companies may be less inclined to sign a long-term contract. Companies are doing everything they can to explore cost-cutting measures. Even the simple office supplies that weren’t a big deal to purchase in the past may now need management approval.
This type of leasing climate is especially good for those companies who know they are going to weather this economic downturn just fine. Yes, there are a few out there still making money. These companies can take advantage of the lower rates and the many incentives that are being provided. If they can take advantage of a longer term lease they may end up saving a lot of money. Tenants are looking for the best deal when they look for office space and landlords are really going to the extra mile to lock them in.
Lease negotiations are in the tenant’s court right now. With discounted rent or even free rent for a period of time, this is a good time to be searching for office space. Landlords that are struggling to find tenants may offer a variety of great deals such as paying for the space to be renovated or providing the options for additional build-outs on the property. Further, landlords are offering much more flexibility with the term of the lease. In good markets, landlords might be especially stringent when it comes to lease terms and getting out of a lease early. However, now they are much more willing to talk about ending leases early, which may be a cost savings to tenants paying for unnecessary space. Tenants are also setting leases with shorter renewal options to allow for better positioning when the market does improve. While they may be cutting costs now, most companies are looking forward to a day when they can get back to normal, hire more employees and re-fill up that space they just vacated.
Even though the economy has many wishing for jobs, grumbling about unemployment or afraid for the days to come, it also holds a lot of cost savings measures of which business should take advantage. With the better lease rates, more flexibility in negotiation and the incredible incentives on the table, it is a no brainer for companies to take advantage and save some money. We won’t always be in a recession; companies won’t always be struggling to fill their office space. However, right now, for both landlords and tenants it is a very different market. And, while tomorrow may change things for the better. Today, companies should stop and look at the many ways they can make choices today to improve their financial picture tomorrow, especially when it comes to their office space.
About the Author: Rebecca Beckett is a freelance writer for Innuity http://www.innuity.com. If you would like more information about office space or corporate real estate go to Royal Commercial
Archive for October, 2009
Learn How Office Space Can Hurt or Help You
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009Save Money and Time With The Right Amount of Office Space
Thursday, October 8th, 2009The office space that you work in every day is one of the largest expenses for your company. One way to control this cost is to shop around and utilize some simple negotiating skills to get the best office leasing option. If you can take some time to get yourself into a good lease you could save your company enough money to make a very big difference.
No office lease is standard so you need to negotiate with each one. The term of the lease is one of the first concessions when you are negotiating. Your needs may change over time so keep this in mind when thinking about how long you want to stay in the same location. Also think about how much space your office has available. Make sure that you have enough room to grow if necessary. You may also want to consider getting the option to renew your rent at a fixed predetermined price. Think about the time you will need in the space but also about the time you may want when your lease is up.
Look into what the landlord charges for the extras. Some of these items may be maintenance, HVAC, general operating costs, repairs, improvements or replacements. Some leases may require that you return the office to the condition it was in when you first moved in. It could be to your benefit to get a cap on the amount you are charged for all the extras because they can add up rather quickly. Improvements in the space may also require their buyoff so make sure that you understand what the lease says regarding their approval to change the space.
Unfortunately, you can’t generally negotiate a lease with a fixed rate over a long period of time. Usually there are annual increases based on a specific percentage. Perhaps you can negotiate how many years it is before this kicks in or think about asking if you can get a cap on the amount of the increase or maybe a set amount each year rather than a percentage.
Think also about the flexibility you may need in your space if you think you may need to undergo a merger, reorganization or subletting. There are so many things that could change in the years to come and it is important to consider all the options when signing your company up for a new lease. This can really make a difference in the future.
Negotiation will be the key to success when getting locked into a lease for your company. Take the time to study up on some of the areas that you can ask questions. Study the fine print so that you know all the options you have in the building and with your office space. If you are locked into a lease for 5-years you never know what might happen in that time. Plan ahead – project where you think you might be in that amount of time. Look into how you might grow and change so that you can predict the best lease possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want – you might just get it.
About the Author: About the author: Jason Ausmus is a web content producer for Innuity. For more information regarding office space or office leasing go to Royal Commercial