A medical office lease differs from a traditional office lease in a number of important ways. For starters, doctors tend to remain in their offices longer than other professionals, so if you are on the hunt for new office space, you likely want to try to find one that will serve the needs of your medical practice well into the future.Furthermore, as doctors and other providers increasingly compete for patients, many of them prefer to avoid setting up shop in existing hospitals. Instead, they choose to occupy spaces that are more convenient and accessible for patients. Regardless of whether you choose to lease office space on or off of a hospital campus, there are certain elements to consider before signing on the dotted line.
Because leasing brokers typically have their own interests to protect during the medical leasing process, you may find that it benefits you tremendously to have a tenant representative who can advocate on your behalf. This professional may also help you navigate the complexities associated with selecting and setting up your medical office, taking into account considerations that might include:
After-Hours & Utilities Access
Not every doctor’s office follows a typical 9-5 schedule. Your practice may provide after-hours or urgent care services, for example, meaning you need to consider when and how you can access a particular medical office before leasing it. Similarly, if you plan to use your office space outside of standard business hours, you will need to determine whether utilities are still accessible, and if so, whether there will be any additional costs associated with using them outside of normal hours.
Use Considerations
Chances are, your clinic or practice is going to produce potentially hazardous materials and biomedical waste, and you cannot simply dispose of these substances in the same manner you would standard trash. Before you lease a medical office property, make sure your lease makes stipulations with regard to proper waste disposal procedures.
Landlord Rights
Typical commercial leases often grant landlords the ability to access the leased space to make repairs, host showings and so on. When you run a medical office, though, you may need to limit how and when your landlord can access the space to protect patient privacy.
Exclusivity Provisions
As a care provider, it may serve you well to find out whether your medical lease makes any stipulations regarding exclusive use. An exclusive use provision essentially prohibits your landlord from renting other space in the same property to a provider that directly competes with you. For example, if you are a pediatrician, the landlord may be unwilling to lease space to you if another pediatrician is already in the building.
Before you sign a medical office lease, make sure to do your due diligence to ensure your lease properly fits your needs while protecting your interests. Having an informed tenant representative from Plaza Companies assist you through the process can help you avoid substantial expense or hardship down the line. For assistance, call 623.972.1184 or get in touch online.