A Guide To Leasing Office Space in Florida

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when searching for office space, as the process  can be demanding, especially if you are not an expert on the local market. The first step is to find an experienced commercial real estate broker that is knowable in your desired area. 

There are many factors to consider when leasing office space in Florida, the most important is the location. Ideally, you want to be close to a major highway or public transportation. Access to these services will make it easier for you to get around and make your office more accessible to clients and employees. With the right brokerage firm working for you, they will be able to identify these highly desirable locations that fit your individual needs. 

Another important factor is the size and layout of your workspace. You may want to ensure that coworkers have separate spaces, or you might want a more open bullpen style layout to encourage collaboration. Many different office spaces are available all throughout Florida, sometimes making it difficult to find what you are looking for, but brokers are able to present you with preferred spaces that will work for you. 

What makes leasing office space unique?

Office space is frequently less expensive per square foot than equal retail space since retail markets are frequently more erratic than the office market. In addition, office leases are typically longer than retail leases. Office space is also a better investment because it has higher re-occupancy rates and a tenant can frequently sublease any unoccupied portion of the space they occupy.

If you’re looking for office space, you’ll want to ensure that your prospective landlord has a good reputation in the community and has experience leasing properties of the type of space your business needs. You should also check their background and financial standing before signing contracts to ensure they are financially sound enough to honor their commitments under the contract terms.

How does leasing an office space work?

Leasing commercial office space is a great way to start your business without paying the high price tag of buying an entire building. When you lease retail office space, you’ll be renting a portion of a larger facility. Depending on the terms of your lease, this means you don’t have to worry about maintenance and upkeep—everything’s taken care of by the landlord or building manager.

When renting commercial office space, the contract between the landlord and tenant, or tenant and subtenant, forms either a lease (including subleases and assignments) or a license. A license is a simple, short contractual agreement that outlines the terms upon which a tenant (licensee) is permitted to occupy the property. A license can be agreed upon and put in place within a short time and typically does not require a tenant to seek legal advice.

It is important to remember that any contract has two sides: the landlord and yours. It is vital for landlords to ensure that tenants pay enough rent each month to cover their costs, as well as to make sure they are fully protected in case anything goes wrong; this means they want things like insurance coverage from tenants themselves as well as the right to evict tenants in case they fail to pay their rent or break any other lease terms. On your side, you’ll want to make sure that you can afford the rent each month and that there are no hidden fees associated with leasing the space.

What are the benefits of leasing an office space?

If you currently work from home or need more space, renting a serviced office space may be the appropriate answer. It can assist you in expanding your business and work more productively which adds value to your business. Completely furnished and equipped offices are a great option that are available at any moment, providing for a timely move in with the ability to quickly access untapped markets. There are several advantages to renting office space, some of which are discussed below:

  1. Flexible Lease Terms 

If you’re a business owner, you know how important it is to have the flexibility to move around without breaking your budget. Leasing an office space gives you the ability to move locations as needed. Flexibility is one of the many areas a commercial real estate broker is well versed in negotiating. The lease terms can give your business the agility to react and take advantage of changing markets. You’ll need to switch locations entirely when a long-term lease is outside your business’s best interest.

     2 . Location

We all know that location is everything. That’s why the decision to lease an office space should never be taken lightly. The benefits of leasing an office space are numerous; they begin long before you even meet your clients.

A distinguished business address in a landmark location can help impress clients before you even meet them. Proximity to everything from major financial institutions to some of the best restaurants and shopping districts in the area means that your business can take advantage of every opportunity that comes its way.

You’re not just renting a space when you lease a business office. You are developing a professional image that will assist you in attracting and retaining clients for many years. Your company’s location is an extension of its brand—it reflects everything that distinguishes it from the competition.

  1. Networking Opportunities 

An essential advantage of leasing office space is that it will help you build your business. You naturally raise your client base when you expand your business into a previously unexplored market. However, getting to know a new place can take some time. You can get to know the region and people more quickly and intimately by taking advantage of the numerous networking opportunities. 

Leasing the right office space is also a good way for new businesses to start. If you purchase a building, most of your income will go toward paying back the initial loan, not building up your client base. You will need more capital to invest in office equipment or furniture. Leasing an office allows you to minimize your expenditures while still having an office that provides a professional atmosphere when clients walk in the door.

  1. Technological and Customizable Solutions 

Leasing office space is an excellent alternative if you require a collaborative workspace tailored to your company’s needs and preferences. You can benefit from technical solutions and bespoke arrangements tailored to your business requirements and preferences. This will allow you to operate more effectively as a team and hold more effective meetings.

You will also get access to specialized support to assist you in getting set up and adjusted to the location. Assistance with company formation, tax and accounting processes set up, and other professional services are all part of the package.

  1. Value

One of the most significant advantages of leasing office space is that it allows businesses to reduce overhead costs. They can avoid paying for the expensive construction costs associated with erecting a new office building or purchasing them outright. Instead, your businesses benefit from the space without any long-term obligations such as mortgages or property taxes (which would be required if you bought the building).

Leased office space allows businesses to avoid making considerable expenditures in real estate that they may not need or want, in addition to lowering overhead costs. If your company downsides and you no longer require as much space, subleasing a part of your space is a great opportunity that can be written into your lease to help offset your expenses if left unoccupied.

How much does leasing an office space cost?

When starting a business, one of the most crucial factors to consider is where you will operate. If you want to lease office space in Florida, you can expect to pay between $20 and $70 per square foot, depending on where you are in the state.

When determining how much office space costs, it’s critical to consider more than just the price per square foot. Other factors that influence how much it costs to rent an office space in Florida include the size of the building, whether the office has a doorman or security guards if parking is included and what services are provided. Commercial real estate brokers are trained and experienced in understanding these complexities, giving them the skills to obtain and present this information to you.  

What are the types of office space leases?

  1. Full Service

There are several types of leases that you might sign while looking for commercial office space. A full service lease, often known as a gross lease, is the most frequent.

 The most basic and often utilized type of commercial office lease is a full-service lease. This type of lease benefits both the landlord and the tenant. In a full-service lease, you won’t have to worry about paying utilities or maintenance charges; the landlord covers these. This means you can concentrate entirely on running your business rather than worrying about whether or not the lights are turned on or any other structural and maintenance issues. 

Another advantage of signing this type of agreement is knowing exactly how much money you’ll need for rent each month without worrying about unexpected expenditures during business operations.

  1. Net Leases

You may encounter double and triple net leases depending on the situation. It is common for a net lease to include a base amount of rent and various building-related charges. When you sign a net lease, your landlord will usually charge a much lower annual rent than when you sign a whole lease. As “net” charges are added to the entire cost, you may pay more if the landlord adds “ordinary costs” monthly.

  • Double net leases

These leases, commonly included in property leases with a “NN” classification, require a tenant to pay for utilities, janitorial charges, and base rent, as well as: the tenant’s portion of property insurance and property taxes paid by a tenant.

  • Triple net leases

This type of net lease, sometimes known as “NNN” leases, charges a tenant base rent, cleaning fees, and utilities, as well as the Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees, the portion of property insurance, and property taxes paid by a tenant.

  1. Modified Gross Leases 

Modified gross leases are the most common type of office lease. The rent on this type of lease is fixed, so there will be no unexpected charges or hidden expenditures. Instead, a tenant will pay their share of CAM fees (common area maintenance), Property insurance, and taxes.

What do you need to know before signing a lease agreement?

When looking for a location for your business, it’s important to know how leases work. Commercial lease agreements can be challenging to understand, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Luckily, commercial real estate brokers are there to help. Here are some of the roles your broker will undertake as they locate and secure your office space.

  1. They research the building’s owner, landlord, zoning rules, environmental expectations, and nuisance legislation. Studying the building owner and landlord, zoning rules, ecological requirements, and nuisance legislation in your location is critical. This will assist them in determining what types of businesses are permitted to operate in the area and how those enterprises must be maintained.
  2. Brokers work out how much you have to pay, what you’re paying for, and how much your rent will rise each year. Some leases include additional fees (for example, utilities, insurance, or maintenance), while others combine all of your expenses into a single monthly payment. 
  3. They decipher the terms of your lease. This covers how long your lease will be in place, how much notice you must give before terminating it, responsibilities of landlords and tenants, and whether any other fees are associated.

Is leasing an office space better than buying?

Yes. Finding office space for lease allows your company to place itself in a premium location, which can contribute to a more sophisticated brand image. Most prime areas have previously been purchased and developed by real estate companies to rent out to enterprises. 

A desirable location that is conveniently accessible to both your clients and employees will benefit your organization. Because leasing office space is less expensive than buying commercial property, your company’s capital is freed up. This frees up finances for other aspects of your organization that will help it thrive, grow, and expand, such as employee training and marketing.

 

 

 

Get an Appointment Today!

Call us at

Commercial Real Estate Sales & Leasing

Providing Commercial Real Estate Services throughout the Greater Tampa Bay Area
 
Markets Served: HillsboroughPinellasPascoPolk Counties
New office coming to St. Petersburg, FL
 
2023 © All Rights Reserved