When Orange County entrepreneurs begin looking for space to rent for their new ventures, they may be in for a shock. The rent includes much more than just a base amount for the space itself. When negotiating a commercial lease, it is vital to understand what the real rental amount will end up being.
Commercial leases often include much more than just a rental amount per square foot. If the space is in a larger building with other tenants, a portion of the costs of maintaining the common areas will more than likely be either a separate fee owed by the tenant or a part of the rent. A potential tenant should make sure that he or she has access to the areas the landlord expects payment for.
In addition, two spaces may have the same total square footage, but be laid out quite differently. It would not make sense to pay the same amount for a space a tenant cannot fully use in lieu of one that allow the maximum benefit from the space and the rent. When comparing locations, this should be a consideration.
Landlords may also require tenants to pay a portion of other costs such as insurance, taxes and more. These are just some of the reasons why it is never a good idea to simply sign a commercial lease without first carefully scrutinize it. The primary difference between a residential lease and a commercial one is negotiation. The property owner will look out for his or her interests, so an Orange County tenant should not hesitate to do the same.
