At a glance
- Determine the rental value per m² of lettable floor area (VVO) based on recent, comparable lettings.
- Check prospective tenants' creditworthiness before making an offer.
- Record all incentives (rent-free period, fit-out contribution) in the lease.
Step 1: determine the rental value
Have the property measured in accordance with NEN 2580 and compare its rental value with comparable transactions in the same segment and region. Always compare the rent excluding additional charges and incentives; otherwise, a property may appear more or less expensive than it actually is.
Step 2: choose your tenant profile
- Request a recent Chamber of Commerce extract and annual accounts.
- Check whether the proposed business activity complies with the environmental plan.
- Assess the desired lease term: short terms increase the risk of vacancy.
Step 3: determine incentives and effective rent
A rent-free period of one to three months per rental year is common when attracting a tenant. Always calculate the effective rent: the total rent over the term divided by the number of months, including the rent-free period.
Step 4: formalise the lease agreement
- Use the ROZ template appropriate to the type of premises (office, commercial or retail).
- Explicitly specify indexation, service charges, the allocation of maintenance responsibilities and the deposit.
- Agree with the tenant whether to opt for letting subject to VAT.
- Clearly specify whether the premises will be handed over as shell, bare space or with building services installations.
Step 5: assess the impact on your investment value
A longer remaining lease term and a solvent tenant directly increase investment value through a lower yield. When selling a let property, the quality of the lease often carries more weight than a few euros more or less in rent per m².
Frequently asked questions
Who draws up the lease when letting through a commercial real estate agent?
The commercial real estate agent generally tailors the ROZ template, often in consultation with a legal adviser where non-standard provisions or bespoke clauses are involved.
What is a normal notice period for commercial premises?
This varies by type of premises: statutory minimum periods apply to retail and hospitality premises, while the notice period for other commercial premises and offices can largely be agreed freely.