Renting office space is expensive, and it's a huge responsibility. If you've ever rented commercial space, you know that finding a property and negotiating lease terms are serious business.

If you haven't rented commercial space, there are a few things you need to know. First, there's no standard lease agreement; each lease is different and needs to be carefully reviewed. Second, a lease is a legally binding contract, not something you can break at will or easily change to suit your needs. Before you lock yourself into a lease, you need to ask yourself, your broker and the landlord some crucial questions to make sure you're finding the best property for your business.
 
Ask yourself:
How long do I plan to stay? How much do I expect to grow business in the next 3-5 years? You need to project how long your business can operate effectively in the space you plan to lease. Although all lease terms are negotiable, most short-term leases are for three to five years, and long-term leases are for 10 years.

Can I get out of the lease? Breaking a lease can result in serious penalties: You could lose your security deposit, be denied access to the space and even be sued. Make sure you're committed to the length of the lease and the location before you sign.

Ask your broker:

• Will I have to pay for improvements to the space?
• What does NNN mean?
• What is Tax & CAM?
• Why does office space cost more than warehouse?
• What does vanilla shell mean?