Commercial Real Estate News / Leasing/Renting / Finding a Warehouse for Rent Near You: 4 Things You Can't Overlook

Finding a Warehouse for Rent Near You: 4 Things You Can't Overlook

Published: 09-23-21 Category: Leasing/Renting

Specializes in providing actionable insights into the commercial real estate space for investors, brokers, lessors, and lessees. He covers quarterly market data reports, investment strategies, how-to guides, and top-down perspectives on market movements.

The inside of a white, empty warehouse for rent.

This article was updated on 8/22/2023.

When you first start searching for a warehouse for rent near you, the amount of information you'll absorb and the new things you'll learn may be overwhelming, especially if you decide to forego working with a commercial real estate broker.

But finding a warehouse for rent near you on your own is certainly doable, there's just a small checklist of things to look out for when you start your search. It always pays to be prepared: Take the time to conduct research, discuss with property owners, scout out properties, and do your due diligence before you sign anything.

Keep in mind that this checklist comes into play after you've established intended use, lined up financing (if needed), and decided on a general location.

#1 – Zoning Laws

One of the first things you'll want to do when you locate a warehouse for rent near you is research that area's zoning laws. Zoning laws are ordinances implemented by local governments that dictate what property owners can and cannot do with their property. These laws will apply to you and the warehouse you lease.

If you're leasing a warehouse for your business, you'll want to ask your landlord if your business is even allowed there in the first place. Furthermore, you'll want to clarify with your landlord what you can and cannot do with your warehouse. If you're leasing a warehouse for extra storage, zoning won't be as much of a concern for you.

Examples of zoning classifications are:

Commercial;
Residential;
Industrial;
Agricultural; and
Hospitality.

Check the zoning laws of your warehouse's geographic area thoroughly before committing.

#2 – In-Person Visits

If it's realistic to do so, try and visit the potential warehouses for rent that you've found. A property listing may not tell the complete picture of a warehouse for rent near you; plus, an in-person examination of the warehouse will allow you time to compile questions, brainstorm future plans, and look for property characteristics the owner may have left out initially.

#3 – Current & Potential Property Features

This consideration goes hand in hand with checking zoning laws and paying visits to the warehouses you're looking into. If you're looking for a warehouse for rent near you for your business, take the time to think about and plan for just about every scenario wherein you'll want to expand on or add to your warehouse.

Think about it: Will you welcome customers or clients into your warehouse space? If so, what or who will/can they engage with? Will your landlord allow you to make physical expansions to the warehouse? Do you think you'll even need such expansion in the first place? Is it worth taking the risk?

You don't want to overlook this long-term planning. Depending on the type of industrial lease you sign and its terms, you may be locked into a long-term lease spanning multiple years that'll cost you an arm and a leg to get out of.

#4 – Your Lease

Sounds like common sense, but you should study your lease and lease term like you study for a test. This is usually when it helps to have a commercial real estate broker alongside you as well. Brokers are more experienced, need more hours of schooling, are licensed with the state, and usually specialize in a property type and specific geographic area.

A broker, as well as a real estate attorney, may be good company to have around when studying your lease. It's common to overlook or not notice provisions in your lease you may otherwise be ignorant of without professional training or supervision.

The Different Types of Leases

There are three different types of leases that most are not aware of initially. These include:

The Net Lease: This type of lease tends to favor landlords. Monthly rent for the tenant is lower, but the tenant is also responsible for paying maintenance fees, among other extraneous costs depending on the subtype of net lease. The three subtypes of net leases are single, double, and triple net leases.
The Gross Lease: This type of lease tends to favor tenants. The tenants pay one lump sum of rent per month, leaving insurance, janitorial, maintenance, and other fees to the landlord to pay. Tenants may be occasionally expected to pay some utilities, but overall, this type of lease makes it easier for commercial tenants to anticipate monthly operating costs.
The Modified Gross Lease: This type of lease is essentially a mix between a gross lease and a net lease, where operating expense responsibility is shared between both tenants and landlords. Tenants still pay their monthly rent in one, lump sum, but must discuss who will cover the other fees and costs involved with their landlord. Modified gross leases encourage professional relationships between tenants and landlords.

Educate yourself and/or hire professional supervision when it comes time to examine leases.

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