Office Leasing in the Philippines - 10 Tips For Your Search

Office Leasing is not a simple process as it takes multiple tasks to complete and there will be a lot of parties involved. Asking guidance from experts is the best course of action for companies to save time and ensure they find the best suitable space for their operations.

If you are tasked to lead your office's lease acquisition, here are a few of our tips for your search:

1. Start it Right Away

Begin exploring market options as much as a year ahead of your desired lease commencement date. This ensures you have time to gather information, verify options, coordinate with landlords, schedule property viewings, and conduct deliberations with your team. Don’t forget to factor in planning for the office fit-out and construction.

Also, aside from the actual lease acquisition, you also need to plan the fit-out and construction of your office space.

2. Hire a Tenant Representative

Consider hiring a tenant representative to simplify the leasing process. They’ll provide professional advice, identify the best spaces, and negotiate favorable deals. In the Philippines, landlords cover their fees, so you won’t need a dedicated budget for this service.

Tenant Representation is equivalent to our Office Acquisition Services. See here how we define this and what is our methodology.

3. Determine the Size You Need

Avoid overestimating or underestimating your space needs. Consult with employees or HR representatives to determine the ideal size for your office. If your business anticipates growth, consider negotiating a right of first refusal clause or choosing a building that has additional available space.

4. Carefully Decide on Your Lease Term

The desired term of your lease should be evaluated carefully. This is a discussion that must be done amongst the different departments of your company. Your tenant rep should also guide you on what factors to consider when you decide on this.

In the Philippines, landlords will give you a preferential rate if you can commit to a longer lease term. Naturally, you want to bring down your costs but this also means a commitment. Not fulfilling your contract may result in heavy penalties and to add, a bad reputation for your company. Signing for longer lease terms is preferable if you can lock in lower lease rates which can hedge against sudden market fluctuations.

5. Work on your Wishlist & Non-Negotiables

Prepare a “wishlist” and “non-negotiable” list for office features. Use these to score potential properties and help streamline your decision-making process during deliberations.

6. Consult With Management and Employees

Involve management and representatives from HR or employee groups in discussions about real estate needs. This ensures all perspectives are considered when finalizing your requirements. With Office Pro Philippines, we can help with conducting surveys to our clients' employees in ensuring that they are taken into consideration in the process of setting up their workplace.

7. Carefully Inspect Data and Telco Infrastructure

While different building amenities may have different importance to each tenant the importance of an office building having a good and stable internet connection comes first to all tenants. Connectivity to this day is a vital requirement for all kinds of occupiers. In the Philippines, a fiber connection infrastructure is highly recommended as well as having at least two providers in case of downtime.

8. Building Features and Amenities

When touring buildings, look beyond the actual space you will be occupying. Explore other parts of the building such as the lobby, the number of elevators, parking slots, retail area, and other amenities that it provides its tenants. A very important thing as well to check is the safety and security features of the building. Remember, aside from rent, office buildings also charge common area dues. Thus, it only makes sense that you see where these will go.

9. Support Services and Accessibility Matters

Aside from checking the inside of the office building, do check the neighborhood or the area as well. Accessibility is very important to your employees, most especially in the Philippines where there is a lack of public transportation. Being near a terminal hub is very ideal so that you won't have problems in the future with employees finding it hard to go to work.

Also, support services such as hospitals, supermarkets, convenience stores, and a healthy mix of food options should ideally be present within a 2 km radius of your chosen office.

An example of a good office building with good accessibility is SM Mega Tower. See our Property Highlight article to know how this office building captures both accessibility and support service for its occupiers.

10. Get to Know the Landlord and Property Manager

Your leasing experience can quickly turn into a nightmare by an unprofessional landlord or property manager. Therefore, it is equally important to evaluate the professionals behind the building, not just the building itself. Talking to the other building tenants and reviewing the company’s online presence and reputation are two of the best ways to run an informal “background check” on your landlord and property manager. You can also simply ask your tenant rep--who with his/her year of practice should already know the reputation of each landlord and property manager in the market.

Conclusion

By following these key tips, you can ensure a smooth process and secure a space that meets your company’s needs while supporting your long-term goals. Remember, the right office environment is more than just a physical space—it’s a foundation for collaboration, growth, and success for your business.

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Office Pro Team

Your Office Set-Up Partner in the Philippines

Direct Lines: +632-853-808-33 Ext. 34-36

Mobile/Whatsapp/Viber: +63917-110-62-31

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