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Renting versus owning business premises

By

Attie Anderson
Attie Anderson, Head of Commercial Property Finance at FNB

Every growing business throughout its life cycle is confronted with the important decision to continue leasing or own the premises in which it operates.

Before this decision can be made, entrepreneurs should aim to understand the implications and establish whether this would be a good investment from a financial and long-term growth perspective.

Attie Anderson, Head of Commercial Property Finance at FNB, says being in a strong financial position to invest in commercial property should be every business owners’ aspiration. However, not every business model supports owning commercial property. For some businesses, it may be better to lease.

He encourages entrepreneurs that are considering this type of investment to seek advice from their banks or financial advisors to familiarise themselves with the advantages and disadvantages of owning commercial property.

Pros

  • Owning commercial property that increases in value can be a great investment for entrepreneurs that want to diversify or sell in the future.
  • Operating a business from your own premises gives you peace of mind knowing that you do not have to worry about lease renewals and hefty rental increases.
  • Should the business grow and require additional space, there is an option to renovate or extend the building.
  • Financing commercial property eventually becomes less expensive in the long-term.
  • Entrepreneurs have an option to refinance the property should they require additional capital to grow the business.
  • There is an option to sublet a portion of the building and earn additional revenue.

Cons

  • Investing in commercial property can tie up the cash flow of a business, due to poor financial planning.
  • Operating from a fixed location can be a disadvantage should the business be required to relocate.
  • Selling commercial property can be challenging during tough economic conditions.
  • The business is directly responsible for the management and maintenance of the building.
  • If the business does not perform well, this may potentially impact its ability to honour financial commitments on the building.
  • Managing tenants and building risks can be cumbersome, requiring business owners to seek professional assistance.
  • The overall value of the investment will decrease should the property deteriorate or depreciate.

“A one size fits all approach will not work when it comes to commercial property investments, the decision has to be weighed on its own merit. Once factors such as cash flow, market conditions, value, location and the long-term prospects of the business have been considered, only then can an informed decision be made,” concludes Anderson.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.