Top 5 tips for maximising your chances of securing a new tenant quickly

If you are looking to sell or let your commercial property, there are a number of important tasks to complete before Curchod & Co implement the marketing campaign to ensure that:

• you attract a buyer or tenant as quickly as possible
• you get the best possible price/rent / lease terms
• the sale or rental agreement goes through as smoothly as possible.

The selling process for commercial properties can be challenging, with documentation such as environmental reports, certifications, utility bills etc. required before a sale can go through. Long delays in providing the required documentation could potentially see a buyer pull out.  If you have everything you need ready to go pre-sale, it will help the process go smoothly, keeping the prospective buyer on side and less likely to pull out of the sale.

Whilst finding a tenant for your commercial property will typically not be as fraught as when selling it, there are still things you will need to do beforehand to ensure that the legal process moves swiftly to completion.

With this in mind Curchod & Co have put together our top 5 tips on getting your property ready for a sale or for letting. We appreciate that all business premises are different but the tips mentioned are all relevant.

1) Presentation – Take an independent view of what your property looks like

First impressions are vitally important. Walk around the outside of your building, as well as any grounds, car parks etc. and make a note of areas that could be improved upon. Does the building need a lick of paint? Are all the windows and doors well maintained? Are there potholes in the car park? Basically, does your property have kerb appeal? Remove cigarette butts, freshen up the landscaping and so on then try and view your property as someone else would, picking up on any areas that need attention. Even the simple act of painting the main door could make a difference.

Then do the same inside. Does the inside of your property need a little updating? What are the staff toilets like? Do they look tired with taps covered in lime scale? How about the staff kitchen? And so on.  Spending money in order to freshen up your building may also increase the perceived value by a buyer / tenant – thereby improving your chance of getting a quicker sale or letting at the best possible price / rental terms.

2) Look at the layout

While Curchod & Co will provide the square footage as part of our service and will guide interested parties as to how the space can be utilised, sometimes you need to give prospective buyers/ tenants a little help.  Is the space in your building being used as effectively as possible? Do you have a basement full of old files and broken office equipment for example? Then clear out what is not needed and tidy up the rest. You can then promote the room as an extra office / staff lounge / something else.

3) Clear desk policy

If possible (and depending on the type of business you run of course) implement a clear desk policy.  Stacks of files, used coffee cups and half dead plants on desks and windowsills creates a feeling of clutter and a lack of space.  If storage is a problem, then invest in some sleek cabinets or cupboards where work material can be put away.

4) Viewings

Once your property is on the market, make sure you and your staff keep the premises as clutter-free as is possible. When dealing with prospective buyers / tenants, be friendly and try to answer their questions as best you can.  Let them know that you have the relevant documentation ready so they can see you are as keen as they are to ensure a swift process.

5) Find a specialist commercial property solicitor

They will inform you of all the necessary documentation you will need to have ready for when you get a buyer or tenant. For sales, they will also advise you on what you may need to do in order to comply with various statutory provisions and laws affecting the property such as having an asbestos survey, getting a commercial EPC certificate etc.

We hope this brief guide has provided some food for thought. If you have any questions or queries at all relating to getting prepared for the sale or letting of your commercial property, please feel free to contact us and one of our experienced team members will happily chat through the process.

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