Modern Business Magazine February 2016 | Page 22

REAL ESTATE shopping centre or other multitenant location leases require tenants to pay a contribution for promotions, building improvements, management costs and security costs in addition to rent and outgoings. considerable increase in the valuation of the property or capital gain since the existing landlord purchased it, you may also find the new landlord will quickly increase the rent to cover their new purchase cost. The rent may also be or include a percentage of the tenant’s takings, with rigorous requirements for book-keeping. One very successful local business in my suburb had been operating in the same location for 25 years, but with the end of his lease nearing faced a 600% increase in rent after the sale of the building where his business was located, so he had no choice but to close up or move elsewhere. Is the building for sale? Building owners looking to sell their building will have different motivations with prospective tenants. If there has been a 22 ModernBusiness February 2016 Also, consider that you may like the current landlord but dislike the new landlord. You may feel uncomfortable asking these questions; however, real estate agents and property managers are typically open to providing answers. As a commercial tenant, you have every right to know the entire picture. I strongly recommend that you type out these questions as a worksheet and refer to them before negotiating or renegotiating begins.