At a glance
- Always calculate rents per m² of lettable floor area (VVO) per year, excluding VAT and service charges.
- Adjust for incentives to find the effective rent.
- Office space and industrial premises have different pricing structures and benchmarks.
The basics: VVO, not BVO
Rents are determined using the lettable floor area (VVO), not the gross floor area (BVO). Have the property measured in accordance with NEN 2580 before setting an asking rent; the difference between VVO and BVO can be 10%–20%.
Indicative ranges
- Office space in a major city centre: indicative rent of €150–€250 per m² VVO per year.
- Office space outside the city centre or in a smaller city: indicative rent of €90–€150 per m² VVO per year.
- Industrial premises/warehouse in a marketable location: indicative rent of €50–€85 per m² VVO per year.
- Small industrial unit: indicative rent of €70–€110 per m² VVO per year.
- Retail space in a prime location: highly location-dependent, with indicative rent of €150–€400+ per m² VVO per year.
Adjust for incentives
A two-month rent-free period on a five-year lease reduces the effective rent by approximately 3%. Explicitly ask about incentives for each offer before comparing rents.
Keep service charges separate
Service charges for cleaning, security and communal energy use are calculated separately from the basic rent, often as advance payments with an annual reconciliation. Always compare basic rents and consider service charges as a separate item.
Include indexation in the comparison
A lower initial rent with high annual indexation can prove more expensive over time than a slightly higher initial rent with standard CPI indexation. Calculate the rental cost over the full lease term, not just the first year.
Frequently asked questions
Is the rent per m² inclusive or exclusive of VAT?
Rents for commercial premises are almost always quoted excluding VAT, unless expressly stated otherwise. Check whether the parties are opting for VAT on the letting.
Why does the rent differ so much between two comparable properties?
Location, accessibility, energy rating, clear height (for industrial premises) and the quality of building services account for most of the difference, alongside incentives that are not always visible in the asking rent.