Viewing a new office in Malta is a responsible task. Whether your business is downsizing, expanding or setting up a new office, deciding which office to rent is often a difficult and overwhelming decision.
We prepared a guide to help you to manage your first office viewing efficiently.

Questions To Ask Before The Office Viewing

Before you meet your real estate agent on a site, it’s good to do some homework answering important questions, such as:

• Where are your employees from and what areas do they prefer to work from?
• How many parking spaces does your business need and what is the parking situation like near the office?
• How accessible is the office, on which floor is it located?
• What permits are required?
• What other businesses are there in the area?

These are the most important questions that your agent can easily answer before the viewing. Always seek to gather as much information as you might need to imagine the premisses and make a wise decision on which offices you should pay more attention to.

Questions About The Area And The Office Surroundings

When you arrive at the site and meet your agent, ask them to show you around the area and make sure that:

• Your clients/employees will have convenient access to the premises.
• The streets are clean and free of litter.
• There are amenities needed nearby. Is there a grocery shop or cafeteria/restaurant within walking distance?
• Can you put up a business sign and will it be visible/representable?
• Does the building look presentable, is the facade in a good condition?
• Are there any constructions happening/scheduled for the near future? Can it somehow interfere with the building or impact on your work?
• Where can employees/customers park their cars or leave their scooters?

Questions About The Office Space

Now that the building and surroundings are to your liking, you should take a closer look at the office space and imagine how/if it will work for you.

Here are some important points to check during the viewing:

• Will the floor plan fit your workflow, and will it have enough space to support your business if/when it grows? Do not just think about the present, imagine where your business could be in 2-3 years.
• Is there’s enough natural light? What’s the artificial light like?
• Will it need cosmetic improvement (repainting, partitioning, etc.)?
• What furniture is available? What additional furniture will you need? How will your furniture fit? Is there enough floor space?
• Are there any obvious problems, such as mold, pests, noise, etc?
• Are there enough power sockets?
• What do the toilets and kitchen area look like, what appliances are there and if they safe to use?

If the first office viewing goes well and the office meets your requirements, you might want to ask a few more questions before you leave the premises. Ideally, an owner of the property will be present at the viewing, otherwise you can direct any questions to your agent:

• What other costs are involved?
• Who are the current internet providers and how reliable is the connection?
• Are there any parking spaces included, if not, can they be leased additionally and what would the charges be?
• What is included in the rent, what is not?
• Who was renting the office before you and how long has the office been on the market?
• What is the deposit, minimum lease term and when can you move in?

What Should I Do Next?

If the answers satisfy you and you wish to proceed, inform your agent about the offer you wish to make. Your agent should be able to assess how far off market value your offer is and give you advice on how to negotiate better terms. IMPORTANT – do not start price negotiations unless you are sure that the office generally meets your requirements.
Ask your agent to conduct further communication with the office owner via email and to keep you cc’ed in all emails. Once negotiations are complete and you are satisfied with the conditions you can request for a drafted agreement.