Alternatives to leases on commercial property

[singlecoil]

I'm in the position of wanting to rent a unit of up to maybe 1000 sq ft, but I don't want to have to take it for 3 or more years. I'd be much happier with a licence with say three months notice either way. Unfortunately all the listings I see are from agents who are keen to get tenants for full leases where they will get a much bigger fee.

Is there a way past this problem?

[jas xjr]

i have seen units available on a monthly licence. typically on units that have been on the market for a while.
nothing to stop you offering to take a unit on this basis.

[surveyor]

at that size you may struggle in today's market

worth a chat with your local council

[CubanPete]

Can you do a ring round of the local farmers? They may have something suitable. Probably be a lot cheaper too.

[Chrisgr31]

CubanPete said:

Probably be a lot cheaper too.

In my experience that is often not the case. Units on farms tend to be based on £x per week, this fairly frequently turns out to be more that the £ypa charged on industrial estates.

So if taking a farm unit always work it out on a £ per sq ft per annum basis.

[soxboy]

singlecoil said:

Unfortunately all the listings I see are from agents who are keen to get tenants for full leases where they will get a much bigger fee.

Is there a way past this problem?

Why do you think it's the agent? The landlord wants the tenant for the long term, he doesn't want someone who will come for 3 months, vacate and then leave him with rental void, holding costs, further letting fees to pay etc.

[jas xjr]

is it a for a showroom or a workshop?

[anonymous-user]

Is there a Basepoint Business Centre near you?

[Muncher]

Occupying under a licence can cause all sorts of problems for a Landlord, particularly in terms of security of tenure, a lease in itself is not necessarily a bad thing from a tenant’s point of view.