Office for Rent in Lahore: What to Check Before You Sign

An office lease ties up money for months or years, and moving out early can be costly. Whether you need a small room for a two-person team or a full floor for a software house, this checklist covers what to look at and what to put in writing. If you are not sure you need your own office yet, compare coworking and a private office first.

1. Location

• Time the commute for your team at rush hour, not on a quiet afternoon.
• Check how clients and staff will reach you: main road access, public transport and ride-hailing pickup.
• Look at food options, banks and parking nearby.
• Popular office areas include Gulberg, MM Alam Road, Main Boulevard, DHA, Johar Town and Model Town, with rents that differ a lot. Compare offices for rent.

2. Size and layout

• Ask for the covered area in square feet and measure it.
• Count workstations, meeting rooms, a reception area and storage.
• Check washrooms: how many, and whether they are private or shared on the floor.
• Ask whether partitions or fit-out work are allowed, and who pays for them.

3. Power, internet and services

• Backup power: generator, UPS or solar, how much load it carries and how it is billed. Load-shedding can stop work, so this matters.
• Internet: which providers already serve the building, whether fibre is available, and whether you can bring a second line. See getting internet in a rented property.
• Air conditioning: central or split units, and who maintains them.
• Lifts, security and cleaning of common areas, and whether the building is open on weekends and at night.
• Maintenance charges: the monthly amount and what it covers.

4. Parking and signage

• How many parking spaces come with the office, and for visitors too?
• Can you put your name on the building, the door or a lobby board?

5. The written agreement

The Punjab Rented Premises Act, 2009 covers buildings let for residential or non-residential purposes, so an office is included. Section 6 asks the tenancy agreement to state the period, the rent, the rate of any increase, the payment method and due date, the purpose of use and the amount of security. Our guides to the rent agreement format and registering a rent agreement in Punjab explain the steps.

• Write "office use" as the purpose. Under Section 15, using premises for a different purpose is a ground for eviction.
• Agree the yearly increase in writing. See how much rent goes up each year.
• State who pays maintenance, utilities and property taxes.
• Agree who owns fit-out work, partitions and fixtures at the end.
• Check whether you can sub-let part of the space. Sub-letting without written consent is also a ground for eviction under Section 15.
• Agree the notice period and any lock-in period.

6. Check the owner

• Make sure you deal with the owner or someone with written authority, and keep a copy of their CNIC.
• Ask whether the building has pending dues or disputes.
• Ask whether the building is approved for commercial use.

What we could not verify

• Typical office rents, maintenance charges and advances by area. Compare current office listings.
• Whether your company must deduct withholding tax on the rent it pays, and the current rate. Ask your tax adviser.
• Zoning and building approval rules for specific buildings.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and procedures can change. For a specific situation, speak to a qualified lawyer or the relevant office.