11 Essentials To Consider When Leasing Medical Office Space

Thinking of starting or expanding your medical practice? The first thing you need is to look for the best office space to house your medical practice. While choosing the best location for your medical office is important, signing the right lease is also an important factor to be considered. The needs of medical office space are unique as compared to office space for traditional business. Thus, finding a medical office space and negotiating proper lease terms is more challenging than finding a commercial office space. But you can save your time and money by hiring a qualified commercial real estate in Corpus Christi. They will streamline your entire process of leasing a medical office space in no time.

But before we start looking for the space, it is important to pay attention to the below-mentioned factors while leasing a medical office space so that it does not restrict your medical practice growth.

Location: 

A patient needs to get rid of his pain as quickly as possible. He will seek medical attention at a health center that is easily accessible. So, it is important that your medical office is in a location where physical handicaps and patients with serious illnesses can easily seek immediate medical attention. Also, it should be located near public transportation so that your regular patient can easily commute for their periodic medical visits. A longer commute can result in loss of business.

Space: 

Depending on your medical practice, a medical office may require an examination room or space to install various medical equipment such as an X-ray machine, sonography machine, ECG monitor, etc. Also, if you are partnering with another medical practitioner your space requirement will increase. So be sure to understand the exact space requirement before signing the lease agreement. Also, the lease agreement should not restrict you to erect or remove temporary walls as per your need.

Parking space and other amenities: 

A medical office requires more parking space than an ordinary commercial office. Sufficient parking space should be available for both patients and staff. It is estimated that a minimum of five parking spaces per thousand square feet of office space should be available for a medical office. A convenient drop-off zone adjoining a parking lot is also helpful. Along with ample parking space, a medical office should have other amenities such as enough wheelchair ramps, elevators, electronic doors, etc.

Biohazards: 

All medical practitioners use hazardous materials and generate bio-medical waste. Thus, the office space should have an easy and safe way of disposing of this hazardous waste. Also, many medical offices require installing X-ray machines and CT scanners that inherit radiation rays. Thus, properties for lease should allow you to install special shielding.

Cost and improvements: 

Cost plays an important factor in leasing any commercial property. The monthly rent should be affordable and fit in your monthly budget. But as the medical office has unique needs, you should also pay attention to other costs that may be incurred as well. You need to renovate your office space to create extra space for the examination room, or to accommodate laboratory equipment or X-ray machines. 

This may require demolishing or erecting temporary walls. Thus,           communicate clearly with the owner to permit you to employ           contractors specialized in building medical facilities. The cost of   converting an ordinary office into a medical office is usually high. So it is best to ask about a tenant improvement allowance so that you can get reimbursed for improvements you make to the property like painting, flooring, etc. Property management Corpus Christi tx will help you in the renovation and improvement process.

Access to the office after working hours: 

Depending on the nature of the practice, many medical offices need to operate 24 hours to attend emergency cases. Normally all traditional commercial offices work 8 hours a day. So the lease should permit you to access the office after usual working hours. The lease should also clearly mention what utilities would be available during these extra working hours. Also, ensure how these utility expenses will be accounted for and who will be responsible. This will help you in knowing the exact utility expenses that you would bear.

Privacy: 

A landlord has a right to visit his commercial property at any time to make sure that it is rightly used and properly maintained. However, according to medical law, a medical practitioner needs to ensure the privacy of his patients. Thus, the lease should limit the landlord’s access to the office during certain hours or allow him to visit the office only with a prior appointment. Also, he should be restricted from viewing patient’s records.

ADA compliance: 

As medical offices are frequently visited by patients rather than the general public, they require special access. As per the American Disabilities Act, medical office space should meet all the stringent accessibility requirements. So it is advisable to look for a premise that meets many of the ADA requirements. If you need to install ADA- compliant accessibility amenities, then the lease terms should mention that some of the costs of ADA compliance be borne by the landlord.

Exclusivity: 

Competition among medical practitioners is stiff. You would not like your next-door space leased to your competitor. Thus before signing a lease, be sure to add the “exclusive use” clause. This will prevent the landlord from leasing the adjoining or nearby space to an identical and competing medical practitioner. Note: Mention who are competitor medical practitioners, as complementary medical businesses may be beneficial.

Longevity: 

It is not feasible to relocate a medical office within a short time. Thus, a medical tenant needs to stay for several years in the same office. So the lease should allow you to use the office space for a longer period and the office space itself should be competent to meet your future projected needs.

Qualified broker: 

Finding a medical office is a challenging and complex process. Thus it is advisable to hire qualified realtors in Corpus Christi tx who will help you to find a location that best suits your medical needs and is also capable of negotiating the lease terms that fully benefit your medical practice.

Conclusion: 

The above factors will help you in leasing the best medical office space. Realtors in Corpus Christi will have you find the best office space for lease or office space for sale through commercial properties listing. They will also guide you on whether buying or leasing an office space is good for your business.