Tips and advice on finding your new business premises

Are you looking for new offices? Or new retail premises?

Here are a few key steps to help you find the perfect fit :

 

1. Check the conditions of your current lease

If you are already renting premises, we recommend you to first check the notice period and the cancellation terms of your lease.

As a reminder, an office/commercial lease has a 3, 6 or 9-year term and you must give notice 6 months before the end of your contract.

It’s a simple procedure: just send your landlord a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. ESSET can provide you with template letters.

 

2. Identify your needs

• Your budget should cover rent, utilities and taxes (property tax, council taxes, etc.), as well as relocation/installation costs (moving, architect, furnishings etc.).
• Write down the search criteria for your future premises (location, floor area, services, accessibility, rent, parking, etc.). What improvements would you like to bring to your future offices?

Once you have defined these aspects, you can start your search on https://esset-pm.be/en/renting-buying/. It usually takes about 2 to 3 months to find the right office or commercial premises.

In Belgium, agency fees are usually charged to the landlord. However, ESSET can provide you with a property search service in special situations, granting you exclusive access to the entire commercial real estate market, based on your search criteria.

Business premises rents are expressed in €/m²/year, excluding taxes and utilities. This formula does not include other costs such as a deposit, insurance, registration of the lease, etc.

 

3. Getting ready for your visits

• To guarantee each visit is efficient, plan it ahead using a checklist to make sure you do not miss anything. You will then be all set to compare the different properties you have viewed according to the same criteria (condition of the building, neighbourhood, renovation work, etc.).
• You should consider having several people come along on site with you. Remember to take some pictures to gather outside opinions. It will help you gain other perspectives. If needed, ESSET can also share its photo album with you.
• Before making your final selection, shortlist no more than 3 to 4 properties.

 

4. Signing your lease

Before agreeing to a new office or commercial lease, it is important to study all the wording carefully.

Once you have signed the lease, the landlord will only give you the keys if you satisfy the following requirements :

• Set up your deposit (escrow account or bank guarantee).
• Pay your first rent instalment (monthly or quarterly).
• Provide proof of insurance.
• Attend to the inventory of entry on the agreed date.

ESSET also advises tenants to register the lease with the authorities.

 

5. Prepare for your move

For a successful move, we advise you to prepare a checklist with retro-planning (about 3 months before the big day). You should also:

• Compare quotes from removal companies.
• Carry out renovation work, if needed, and furnish your new premises.
• Notify first the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises of the new address of your company’s registered office. Proceed next with the following entities:
  • Social secretariat, the National Social Security Office etc.;
  • Utility providers: water, electricity, internet, telephone, etc.;
  • The insurers for your new offices.
• Make sure your service providers, customers, suppliers, your website, etc. all have your new address and telephone numbers.

 

6. Handing over keys and cleaning your old premises

Remember to give yourself enough time after moving out to hand over the keys to your former landlord. You will have the spare time you need to empty and clean the premises thoroughly.

Now all you have to do is organise a great opening evening to welcome your teams !

 

More info about our services? Contact us!
brokerage@esset-pm.be
02 / 340 24 88

Retour aux actualités