Renting an industrial unit - advice

Norman_Conquest

Well-known member
Hi,

I have been thinking for a while of moving into something different and would need a small industrial unit. Anyone got any experience in renting a unit and could point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Norman
Have been renting industrial units for years.
Started off with a small 1000 square foot unit.
Rental cost should be around about £3.00 per square foot,
Business rates will be approximately half this cost (this is just a tax - you get nothing for this - not even your bins emptied).

Units under 15,000sqf (I think - was the case) qualify for small business rates relief.
This halves your rates bill and its amazing how many companies didn't seem to have heard of its existence.

You will have to sign a lease and will need a solicitor to check over the terms.
Watch out for service charges and keep the length of the lease as short as possible as you will be liable to pay it in its entirety even if your business doesn't work out.
Push for extras - you should be able to get your first three months free of charge.

Just type into Google something like 'commercial units for rent near stockton' or whatever.
You will see what's available on Rightmove/Zoopla and the like.

Best of luck!
 
I am from a different area of the country and local rules can be different. I use industrial units for work. Consider if there is a lease and how long you may be tied in for. The longer the tie in can result in a cheaper rate, but may be possible to get something on a monthly basis. If it is for storage could a container be appropriate. Check out rates, electricity and service charges.
 
Also, check what will be required delapidations wise. It may be that when you hand it back at the end of the lease that it’s required to be in a condition it wasn’t even in at the start. Photograph everything wrong at the start and agree this with the landlord before entering in to the lease.
 
Hi,

I have been thinking for a while of moving into something different and would need a small industrial unit. Anyone got any experience in renting a unit and could point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

Norman
If you get any probs just message me.
I’ve got a property team down here who do this kind of thing for fun - leasing out our properties incl industrial units.
I’ll happily put you in touch to make sure you get the right advice.
 
Hi,

I have been thinking for a while of moving into something different and would need a small industrial unit. Anyone got any experience in renting a unit and could point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.
What size and for what specific purpose?

Length of lease, rates liability, and discounted (free rent) periods are worth knowing about.

Getting the right unit (for your purposes) and location are key.
 
It's standard practice to have to return the unit back to the same condition you took it over in.

Even if you think you've made improvements, you have to strip them out in many cases - there are odd exceptions, but it depends on the landlord.
 
Landlords use delapidations to screw tenants on a regular basis. Not all landlords, I'm sure, but it is something you must get expert advice on. Cost us about £70 grand when we left our first unit, and a lot of stress, time and bitterness.

Great advice above
 
Isn't there any 'Business Innovation Centre' type places these days - the easy in - easy out type?

There is, if it's just office space you're after. Workshops are harder to find, on that type of lease. Depends on what type of space is needed.
 
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