Finding the perfect medical office space for your business can be a long and difficult process, as healthcare practices demand a variety of requirements. It’s important that you understand the facets of a commercial office space lease that uniquely affect medical providers. Consider these tips for leasing medical office space to find the right property for your business.
ADA-Compliance
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires accessibility in all medical offices. Installation of amenities that meet accessibility requirements may be costly, so it’s best to find a location that meets most of the requirements. If the property is not already ADA-compliant, discuss ways you can work with your landlord to achieve compliance.
Biohazards
Most medical practices generate and dispose of biohazardous waste or require installation of machinery that presents radiation risks and other health hazards that may affect nearby tenants. A conventional office space lease will likely need to be further negotiated to include property modifications or other necessary adjustments.
After-Hours Access
Many standard office space leases limit building-use access to a specified hourage. Many medical practices see patients during extended business hours, while others operate 24 hours a day or 7 days a week. It’s important that your lease accounts for your medical office’s schedule and how the utility costs will be divided amongst all building tenants in detail.
Tenant Improvement Allowance
Medical office spaces typically have unique renovation requirements to add certain equipment and comply with healthcare regulations. A tenant improvement allowance refers to the amount of money the landlord will contribute to renovation costs. Be sure to communicate your remodeling plans clearly with your landlord to get a better idea of what build-out costs you will have to cover.
Exclusive Use Clause
An exclusive use clause limits the landlord’s ability to lease part of the property or building to a direct competitor of yours. While some healthcare offices offering complementary services might benefit yours, competing providers may deter would-be patrons from your practice. If you prefer not to have a direct healthcare competitor on the same property as you, review the lease for language that demonstrates specifically which types of competitors this includes.