Signing a lease is an important step in nailing down the location of your small business.  These are some things you should consider as you get ready to sign that lease.

Use Professional Services:  You should use professional services such as brokers, attorneys and licensed real estate agents.  These individuals know all the key elements of the lease and can guide you through the process.

Interview the Landlord:  You should ask as many questions to the landlord as possible before signing the lease.  This is a unique opportunity to get everything on the record.  Don’t take anything for granted.  Ask the question and make a note of the answer so that if you later find out that something is not what it should be you can approach the landlord to get it fix at no cost to you or get your rent reduced.

Check Zoning:  You should check the zoning first before signing any lease.  Check the zoning to ensure that the operation you want to perform in the facility is authorized by the zoning designation.  Once you sign the lease you’re commited.  There is a costly to terminate the lease prematurely.

Know the Lease Period:  The lease period for office space and retail locations are usually 2-5 years.  Be sure that you will be able to make the payments for that period of time or pay the early termination fee if you have to terminate the lease early.

See finding a location.