At a glance
- Clear height, floor loading and the number of dock doors determine the target market and the rent.
- Calculate the rent per m² of lettable floor area and adjust for incentives.
- Always check prospective tenants' creditworthiness before making an offer.
What tenants check first
For logistics and manufacturing businesses, clear height, floor loading and the number of loading docks are often more important than the floor area itself. A 2,000 m² warehouse with insufficient clear height attracts a different, smaller group of tenants than a comparable property with eight metres of clear height.
The key specifications
- Clear height: a minimum of 7 to 10 metres is attractive for racked storage.
- Floor loading: 2,500 to 5,000 kg/m² is standard for racking and heavy machinery.
- Number of dock doors and overhead doors relative to the floor area.
- Connection to the electricity grid and available power capacity.
- Proportion of office or canteen space within the total floor area.
Setting the rent
Calculate the asking rent per m² of lettable floor area per year and compare it with recent lettings of similar commercial premises in the same region. Indicatively, rents for readily lettable commercial premises range from €50 to €85 per m² per year, with higher levels for small, easily accessible units and lower levels for large distribution premises in more outlying locations.
Frequently requested incentives
- A rent-free period of one to three months for a longer lease term.
- A contribution towards fitting out office or canteen space.
- Flexibility over the commencement date to accommodate the tenant's move.
Screen the tenant before making an offer
Request a recent Chamber of Commerce extract and, if in doubt, annual accounts or a bank reference. Check whether the intended business activity complies with the environmental plan: storage, light manufacturing and distribution are not automatically interchangeable on every business park.
Contract and security
Use the ROZ model lease for commercial premises and request a security deposit or bank guarantee, typically equivalent to three to six months' rent. Explicitly record whether the premises are handed over as a shell or bare space, the division of maintenance responsibilities and indexation to avoid disputes during the term.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum clear height a warehouse needs for logistics use?
For standard pallet racking, a minimum clear height of around 7 metres generally applies; larger distribution centres often use 10 to 12 metres for greater racking density.
What is a realistic letting commission for a warehouse?
Indicatively, 8% to 15% of the first year's rent, often subject to a minimum fee for smaller properties.