Office Space Experience Series: Sublease Space

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A traditional sublease is when your business takes over a space and lease from another business.  Companies sublease space for many reasons including: relocation, downsizing, moving, failure, expansion, and restructuring.  When subleasing, it is typical to get discounted rental rates, especially if the overall commercial market is suffering.

If your company wants to be located in a certain area, but a direct lease isn’t in the budget or you want a flexible lease term then search for a sublease instead.  It usually requires a little more homework and searching, but the extra work pays off with a more affordable and flexible lease.  Another reason a sublease is great for younger businesses is that it lowers the initial cost of occupying an office.  A sublease allows you to get into a space quickly and with minimal expense, because a subleases are usually built out (furnished, wired, etc.) and tend to be available immediately.

Particularly for small firms, sublets are often better than direct leases because the shorter term lengths are ideal for companies just getting started, taking on new projects, or scaling back. However, keep in mind that relocating and moving offices can be disruptive and costly, so you should always keep in mind how a short lease will fit into your long-term business plans.

Who is sublease office space for:

  • Small to medium sized business
  • Companies with uncertain future
  • Business looking for flexible lease
  • Business looking to keep overhead costs low

Pros and Cons of Sublease Office Space

Pros

Cons

  • Get into the space quickly
  • Limited up front capital expenditure
  • Lower rent
  • Abitlity to do a short term deal
  • Must deal with sub-landlord
  • Less control over the space
  • May be forced to move
  • Limted expansion opprotunities

Examples of Sublease Space on Rofo


Class A Sublease, 345 California St., San Francisco, CA

Oakland, CA Office Space Sublease, 160 Franklin St.

Written by The Rofo Team

September 11th, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Posted in General