The following information summarises the key considerations when leasing or buying offices and commercial premises.

LEASING COMMERCIAL PREMISES
With advancing technology, many of us cope well with working from the spare room. Some freelancers need a studio to accommodate equipment, but others will require "visible" premises to attract passing trade. Everyone seeking premises will have the torment of trying to find somewhere suitable without overstretching the start-up budget.

Practical Considerations
A lease is a rental agreement, usually over several years, so shorter leases on commercial property can be hard to obtain. A licence is a temporary rental agreement. This will be one of the most important decisions you make, so draw up a comprehensive checklist. Here are some considerations for leasing premises:

Insurance
You may also need office contents insurance (check with your landlord what's included in your contract).

Budget
Spend too much and you will restrict funds for other areas of your business. However, spending too little reflects in your office's appearance, affecting your credibility. Away from main roads, commercial rent is generally lower.

Location
Take into account the location from a business point of view (road communications, effectively servicing clients, proximity to suppliers and constraints of commuting).

Size
Obviously, this depends on the nature of your business. Allow enough room for growth.

Security
Ensure the building is secure and ascertain who has access.

Parking and Access
Customers' parking and access for deliveries.

Services
Think about heating, lighting, air conditioning, phone points, broadband, burglar alarms etc.

Physical environment
Bear in mind aspects such as well maintained premises with a suitable layout and good working environment (not cold, noisy or dirty), with adequate natural light.

Lease: Terms and Length
Determine the answers to the following:
How long do you want the premises?
What are you responsible for in terms of maintenance?
Is it worth paying for a survey to negotiate that the landlord pays for any immediate repairs needed before you sign?
Is there a break clause to allow early termination?
What about rent review dates?
What is the commercial property market like? If other local premises are empty use, this to negotiate lower rent.

Crucially, get a solicitor to examine the contract. Potential landlords may subject you to greater scrutiny as a start-up. Your solicitor will help you understand a personal guarantee� and how to avoid it.

Small Business Centres
Business centres will provide useful facilities such as reception and secretarial services that will not only help with the workload but should create a professional perception of your company.
Serviced premises, such as the business centres are available under a "licence agreement" as opposed to a lease. If you need space away from home, you may prefer the straightforward nature of a licence agreement, which you can usually terminate at a month's notice.

Virtual offices
Some companies provide office services and meeting rooms when required.
They answer the 'phone in your company's name, provide a postal address, forward all mail and relay 'phone messages by email. This keeps your home contact details private.

BUYING COMMERCIAL PREMISES
Buying a property involves greater risks and financial commitment than renting premises.

Advantages

1. Fixed overheads help you budget and control spending.

2. You have more control over the management and repair of the building. You can modify and redecorate it as you see fit (subject to planning regulations).

3. The value will probably increase over time, making it a good capital investment.

4. You could let the property in the future. If business needs change or you decide to move, the property could provide an alternative source of income.

5. It is probably cheaper than renting. Financing a mortgage often requires a lower monthly outlay than renting a similar property.

6. If you choose to move, you are not bound by rental notice clauses.

Disadvantages

1. It is not easy to move or give up premises. This makes reaction to change difficult, because of the time taken to sell.

2. Commercial lenders require larger deposits than residential mortgages. This capital could otherwise be invested in your business.

3. You have sole, total responsibility for the upkeep / security of the property. Current knowledge of legislation regarding fire, accessibility and health and safety issues is required.

There are Numerous Ways to Find Commercial Premises, including :

Commercial property agents:
Such agents promote and offer commercial premises for purchase and lease. Premises offered may include offices, shops, factories, warehouses and land designated for commercial use. Agents can work on behalf of the current property owner or for the prospective buyer.

Internet searches:
There are numerous commercial property search engines, including ones that specialise in retail or office premises. Many newspapers include commercial property supplements. These carry advertisements for properties for sale and lease, plus details of local property agents.

Checking out the Building
The property particulars from the sales agent will provide only a starting point for your assessment of each potential property. Look around the building yourself, visiting on different days / times to get a feel for passing trade.

Planning Permission and Legal Compliance
Examine the possibility of planning permission, as you may wish to alter the property at some point in the future. Consult the local authority about any restrictions on future developments to the business.

The Building
If unattended repairs cause significant deterioration, the property may prove difficult to sell. Identify and estimate the cost of rectifying defects at the outset. Backed by a survey, you can negotiate a lower price, or ask the owner to rectify any problems. A surveyor will also be able to advise you regarding future alterations to the premises.

Get Professional Advice
Talk to property agents and neighbouring businesses about the character of the immediate area.The local Chamber of Commerce or council may be able to provide a detailed report on the area if you are not familiar with it. A full structural survey of the external and internal structure of the property is expensive, but essential. If an existing survey is made available, check that it is up to date and that it has been conducted by an accredited professional surveyor. An independent valuation should also be carried out. Don't rely on any lender's valuation of the property, which may be based on the security of their loan amount.

Further Information
http://www.freelanceuk.com
http://www.mlpsurveyors.co.uk
http://www.is4profit.com
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Classified Ad Results  ( 1 to 19 of 19 ads found )
26 June 2009
space available to rent in pet boutique in great yarmouth town center. this space would suite animal therapist / massage or groomer. the space can be available full time or part time i. e 1 day a week , at weekends evening etc. please contact me for more details. op. .
NR31
13 June 2009
We currently have a selection of fantastic furnished and unfurnished offices/meeting rooms available in central harrow, approximately 2 minutes from harrow on the hill station. the offices all approximately 180 sq/ft each and are suitable for 2 to 3 people. the bu. .
£125
HA1
12 June 2009
We currently have a selection of fantastic furnished and unfurnished offices/meeting rooms available in central harrow, approximately 2 minutes from harrow on the hill station. the offices all approximately 180 sq/ft each and are suitable for 2 to 3 people. the bu. .
£125
HA1
10 June 2009
Hotels - coastal and inland game lodges industrial property and industrial land commercial property and commercial land residential properties for further information kindly contact me.
£20
EC2V
08 June 2009
office space available if (google_top) document. writeln(google_top); 2 self contained office units available close to brixton centre, all local amenities available incorporating private use of shower units, wash hand basins and toilets. .
£430
SE24
Yard to let close to a47, good access from gt yarmouth and norwich. area of 500sqm (5300sqft) as you can see in the pictures it is gated to allow only the tenant access. the whole site is gated and has cctv covering the entrance so is secure. there is an area of. .
£450
NR13
Unit to let within a small commercial site. floor space of 1500sqft, suitable for many things provided it falls under the b1 usage. secure roller shutter door. also, a smaller set of doors shared with the neighbouring unit (see pic) there is a small porch inside . .
£650
NR13
Office for rent near norwich. ready now! upstairs of a barn conversion. fantastic location just off the a47 at burlingham so good access from gt yarmouth and norwich in particular. the office has the benefit of a toilet and a small kitchen. also a useful store c. .
£550
NR13
04 June 2009
Prague 9, trešnová st. , the plot of land: 1509 m2, build - up area: 690 m2, basement: 232m2- production hall, store, 2x wc; ground floor: 245m2 production hall, office, 2xwc + hall: 151 m2, 1stfloor: 206 m2- two apartments; equipment: machines for metal w. .
£485,000
S26
A giant on the outskirts of prague. prezletice – vinor, prague – east, production, storage, wholesale area inside a fenced area of 8016 m2, with a production and storage hall of 1650 m2 having the possibility of large expansion. tarmac access aroung the who. .
£4,050
S26
03 June 2009
A selection of office units to rent in farringdon ranging from £110- £180 per week location 58 britton st, london, ec1m 5up. nearest tube: farringdon tube, which has mainline as well as circle, metropolitan and the hammersmith & city lines. farringdon tub. .
£110
EC1M
we have just 1 more unit available here at the keystone enterprise factory unit 5 at 2. 699 square feet our charges at £4. 00 rent per sqf and £2. 65 service charge per sqf the building has electronic security and car parking short term leas. .
IP24
25 May 2009
Workshops / studios / offices. various sizes available. from £1 sq ft set in a secure gated mews with cctv. great friendly mixed community. visit: westcotestudios. co. uk for more details or tel: 020 8677 0231.
SW17
Small business units of various sizes available in secure gated mews with parking, 24 hour access and cctv. affordable and flexible terms. visit us at westcotestudios for more information, pictures, floor plans etc. tel: 020 8677 0231 email:.
SW17
14 May 2009
Reduce your costs now by moving into a competitively priced managed office with individual parking. on offer are spacious, bright, modern premises with onsite parking. situated in a well established business park location next to the a1(m) with easy access to the city . .
13 May 2009
Our builders will make (for free) the studio of your dreams (4 rooms(!) are possible) exactly according to your request in a last room (7mx5m) of our 8 studios + saloon,2 toilets,shower room,kitchen, district line tube/railway station, night bus, free carpark. make a t. .
£350
W4
11 May 2009
Hastings old town, restaurant/takeaway and flat, seafront position. new 15 year fri lease, premuim £15,000, rent £9,800 per annum, recently refurbished ready for 2009 season.
TN34
05 May 2009
Lease for sale (10k) osprey guest house is located on west main street in blackburn, west lothian a vibrant and popular town. the business is set right in the heart of blackburn, on the main through route, so enjoys excellent passing trade. west lothian has be. .
£10,000
EH47
03 May 2009
A store hall for rent; logistic centre - fenced area; the west end of rícany; by the cernokostelecká st. ; the plot of land together: 13. 050 m2 - the store from it: 10. 500 m2, offices: 850 m2, the other area: 1. 700 m2; high: 9,6 m, ramp - wide: 4 m; connec. .
£39
S26
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