Commercial property: begin with the operating requirements
An office or business premises must fit the activity, access and operating costs, not just the floor area.
2 min read
The premises must fit the intended activity, setup requirements and ongoing costs. Confirm the use and approvals for the exact space rather than assuming an office or retail label establishes suitability.
Define the intended activity
Set out what the premises need to support: workstations, client visits, storage, equipment or retail activity. Confirm that the property and location can support the required use with the appropriate authorities and building management. Do not infer permitted use from a current occupant.
Understand the space offered
Establish whether the premises are fitted, shell and core or supplied with a different specification. Ask about usable area, services, access hours, parking and fit out requirements. A lower headline rent may involve additional work before the business can operate.
Budget for operating and setup costs
List rent or purchase cost separately from fit out, utilities, service charges, maintenance and approvals. For a lease, compare the term, renewal conditions and reinstatement obligations. Use current written quotations rather than a historical building directory.
Verify the transaction and the scope of help
Confirm the ownership or letting authority, proposed agreement and responsibility for each approval. Ask Golden Dome about the required property brief and whether the instruction falls within the agreed brokerage scope. Specialist licensing, design and legal advice are separate services.
Prepare an operating brief before shortlisting
- Describe the intended activity, occupancy and access requirements.
- Identify the fitted condition and who funds or approves any fit out.
- Confirm the permitted use and required approvals with the appropriate authorities.
- Request written rent or purchase terms and a separate setup budget.
- Clarify utilities, parking, service charges and reinstatement responsibilities.
- Agree the brokerage scope and identify work that needs a separate professional.
Golden Dome guidance for planning your property questions. Legal, finance and immigration decisions require advice appropriate to your circumstances.
Official references and further reading
Use the current official requirements for your own circumstances. Illustrative calculations are not quotes or forecasts. How our guidance is prepared