Choosing medical office space for rent: 6 tips

Whether you are a renter, a tenant, or randomly passing by our blog page, you are likely interested in figuring out how to choose medical office space for rent if you clicked on this article. As you could expect, the specifics of renting a medical office substantially differs from renting out an ordinary office, and there are fair reasons why. Without further ado, here are 6 things to consider while choosing medical office space for rent, all set for you to consider!

1. Affordability

One of the most critical factors to consider while renting a medical office is its cost; we are not only talking about the rent amount, but also about all the necessary renovations or modifications you can ever think of. Maybe it’s special equipment you will need to get into the property or create additional rooms. Keep in mind that landlords don’t usually assist with these kinds of changes. Without a doubt, those costs are commonly higher compared to those of conventional office spaces. One should always take into consideration the type of services that will be offered and the special equipment needed.

2. Convenience

We currently live in a highly competitive world: unless you are an experienced professional who has a fairly solid clientele already. However, moving locations may result in the loss of some patients or clients. Many people may prefer another physician due to the convenience of the location. Hence, make sure your potential patients have easy access to your medical office space, be it in terms of the physical location or amenities that assist mobility. This means things like adequate parking, wheelchair ramps and platforms, elevators, etc. You do not want to look irresponsible! Always aim for ADA compliance!

3. After-hours

Oh, those unexpected late-night sugar-y cravings and terrible toothaches! If you are a dentist, perhaps you are getting unforeseen calls from your patients outside of the typical 9-5 schedule every now and then. The life of a dentist can be tough, so take your time and talk about the after-hours and utility access with your landlord before you sign that lease. Ask if you can access the medical office space outside the working hours if an emergency happens. If you get a yes, consider what are the associated costs of using the facilities - things like overnight parking permits, security staff, and janitorial services. On the other hand, some properties may have to maintain strict energy usage rules and won’t be suitable for your practice. Make sure to keep this in mind!

4. Biohazards

Chances are, your medical office space is going to release hazardous materials and biomedical waste. As it is not paper you can merely shred in a conventional office and quickly dispose of them, make sure your landlord has clearly communicated waste disposal procedures. Be it a CT scanner or an X-ray machine, such equipment needs a proper dismantle and disposal. Some landlords may be hesitant in taking on the responsibility or may not have experience in that kind of situation. 

5. Exclusivity provisions

No one likes a competitor working under their nose unless it is a "healthy competition" and you get joy from seeing others succeed around you. Nevertheless, if you want to beat them at their own game, consider exclusivity provisions that your landlord can promise you! If you get those, your competitor will not have a right to rent a medical office space in the same property to another dentist (or any other medical professional you are), which, in turn, protects you from losing clients. It’s always better to have a competitive advantage over others in the market you work in. 

6. Landlord access

Imagine yourself checking up on a patient in your pediatrician's office, and suddenly the landlord comes in. Quite possibly, your patient will complain of their lack of privacy and start claiming their rights. In this situation, you cross your fingers and hope you get out of that uncomfortable situation without losing your job. This is quite an exaggerated scenario, but we can all agree that we enjoy our privacy, and we cannot really be blamed for that. But who can blame a landlord that just decided to visit his property? To prevent this, you can and should always discuss with your landlord what their access to the premises is during work hours.

These were only a few points to consider if you are looking for a medical office space for rent, and as always, everything starts with setting up the priorities and identifying the usage. If you feel you are not ready to take on the responsibility and or that you don’t know how to consider your choices, you can always hire a realtor or take advantage of various real estate companies. My Perfect Workplace is a great platform for finding the right place for you in a short period of time. If you are a landlord, we have something for you as well: you can contact us to feature your listing in our platform and become a part of our growing community!