This glossary contains terms you will encounter when searching for office space.
A-location
An A-location is a highly attractive office location for businesses. It is situated in a city centre, close to a central railway station, and is well served by public transport. As a rule, these locations are less accessible by car and offer relatively limited parking facilities.
All-in rent
An all-in rent is a fixed total price for the office space. It includes service charges and any other supplies and services provided by the landlord.
Anti-squat
Anti-squat is a measure used to prevent squatters from occupying vacant properties. The empty building is inhabited by so-called anti-squat residents or guardians. Anti-squat office buildings are typically available for a maximum period of two years and are usually let and managed by vacancy management companies.
B-location
A B-location is a relatively attractive office location for businesses. It is accessible both by public transport and by car, situated near a suburban station or a high-quality public transport hub such as a metro or light rail stop. A B-location typically has a fast connection to the main road network and good parking facilities.
Bank guarantee
A bank guarantee serves as financial security for the landlord. The bank guarantees the tenant's obligations up to a pre-agreed amount. It is issued by the bank at the tenant's request and is a common alternative to a security deposit in commercial lettings.
BOG
Dutch abbreviation for Bedrijfs Onroerend Goed (Commercial Real Estate). BOG is a collective term for real estate used for business purposes, including office space, business premises, retail space, investment properties and commercial buildings.
BREEAM
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an internationally recognised sustainability certification for real estate. A BREEAM certificate provides a verifiable and comparable assessment of a building's sustainability performance. In the Netherlands, the local version BREEAM-NL is used.
BVO
Dutch abbreviation for Bruto Vloeroppervlakte (Gross Floor Area). The BVO is the sum of the externally measured floor area of all building levels, including structural elements such as walls, staircases, lift shafts and plant rooms. Measured in accordance with NEN 2580.
Business centre
A business centre is a building housing multiple companies, typically with shared facilities such as a reception, meeting rooms and communal amenities. A business centre is also referred to as a multi-tenant building or bedrijfsverzamelgebouw.
C-location
A C-location is an office location on the outskirts of the city, well accessible by car with a direct connection to the main road network. A C-location is generally less well served by public transport.
Commercial real estate
Commercial real estate is property held for rental or resale rather than owner-occupation. It includes office space, business premises, retail space and hospitality properties. Large corporations, retail chains and investors may hold substantial commercial real estate portfolios.
Deposit / Security deposit
A security deposit serves as financial security for the landlord. The tenant pays this amount upfront and receives it back at the end of the lease, provided all obligations have been met. For office space, the security deposit typically amounts to two to three months' rent.
Energy label
The energy label indicates a building's energy performance on a scale from A++++ to G, based on factors such as insulation, installations and energy consumption. For office buildings, a valid energy label is mandatory upon letting or sale. Since 2023, offices in the Netherlands are required to hold a minimum of label C. Properties that do not meet this requirement may in principle no longer be used as office space.
Estate agent fee / Broker commission
The commission paid to a commercial estate agent for letting or selling office space, a business unit or retail premises. The amount is agreed in advance. In office lettings, the agent's fee is typically borne by the landlord. For Flexas.com's specific terms, please refer to our general terms and conditions.
Exterior space
Outdoor space forming part of a property. In the context of office real estate, this may include a terrace, a patio or outdoor space at roof or ground level.
Floor area
The surface area of a space, expressed in square metres (m²). Depending on the measurement method, a distinction is made between gross floor area (GFA) and lettable floor area (LFA).
Full service office space
A full service office space includes not only the bare office area but also additional facilities such as a reception, meeting rooms and fully equipped workstations. The exact offering varies by provider.
Furnished
An office space is considered furnished when it is fully equipped with the furniture required for office work, such as desks, chairs and storage units, in addition to basic provisions including floor covering, window dressings and lighting. The tenant can in principle occupy the space immediately.
Garage unit
A lockable parking or storage unit, typically located within a car park or on a business estate. A garage unit can be bought or rented and is used by both private individuals and businesses.
Gross floor area (GFA)
See BVO. The total externally measured floor area of all building levels, including structural elements. Measured in accordance with NEN 2580.
Housing survey / Office needs assessment
A study into the accommodation needs and options for an organisation. It examines current space usage, the desired situation, accessibility and location preferences. The findings lead to an accommodation recommendation aligned with the organisation's processes and culture.
Incentives
Incentives are concessions offered by a landlord to persuade a tenant to take the office space. Common forms include a rent-free period, a rent discount or a fit-out contribution.
Industrial estate
An industrial estate is an area designated for businesses with an industrial or logistical function. It is also referred to as a business park or trading estate. Many industrial estates also accommodate office buildings.
Inspection report
The inspection report (also known as the handover report or condition report) describes the condition of the space at the start of the lease. It is attached as an appendix to the lease agreement. At the end of the lease, the tenant is required to return the space in the condition recorded at handover.
Institutional investors
Institutional investors are professional parties managing large assets on behalf of third parties, such as pension funds and insurance companies. In the real estate market, they are significant owners of office and commercial properties.
Key handover
The moment at which the landlord hands over the keys of the rented space to the tenant, typically at the start of the lease.
Key statement
A written declaration confirming that the keys have been handed over and authorising the tenant to enter the property, typically at or prior to the start of the lease.
Land plot
A plot of land on which residential or commercial buildings may be constructed in accordance with the applicable zoning plan.
Lease agreement / Rental contract
A lease agreement for office space is a contract between tenant and landlord under which the landlord makes a space available for use in exchange for periodic rent. In the Netherlands, office leases fall under the so-called 230a regime (Article 7:230a of the Dutch Civil Code), which provides less tenant protection than residential tenancy law. The ROZ model lease for office space is the widely used standard in the Dutch commercial real estate market.
Lease period / Lease term
The duration of the lease agreement. This can be flexible or fixed. For office space, the lease term is typically between one and five years, although shorter and longer terms are possible.
Lease proposal / Rental offer
After a positive viewing, a non-binding lease proposal can be requested from the landlord. The proposal sets out the lease terms, including rent, lease term and condition of delivery. Both parties may submit a counter-proposal.
Leasehold
A form of land use right under which a party has the right to use and build on land owned by another party, in exchange for periodic payment (canon). In the Netherlands, leasehold is common in cities such as Amsterdam and is relevant to the purchase or occupation of commercial real estate.
Lettable floor area (LFA / VVO)
The floor area of a space that is available for exclusive use by the tenant, measured in accordance with NEN 2580. The LFA excludes shared spaces and structural elements and is the basis for rent calculation.
Listing price / Asking rent
The price asked by an owner or landlord for their property. For office space, the asking rent is typically expressed in euros per m² per year, excluding service charges and VAT.
Multi-tenant
A building housing multiple tenants, each in their own demised space. A multi-tenant building is also referred to as a business centre or bedrijfsverzamelgebouw.
Object
In real estate, a term used to refer to a specific office building or commercial property.
Office
A space or building in which knowledge work and administrative activities are carried out.
Office building
A building wholly or partly fitted out for office use by one or more organisations.
Office fit-out
The interior fit-out of an office space, including furniture, lighting, acoustics and layout. A well-considered fit-out contributes to productivity and employee wellbeing.
Office park
An area, within or outside the built-up area, designated for office-based organisations. Also referred to as a business park or trading park.
Operator
An office operator is an organisation that leases an office building or office floor from a property owner and sublets it flexibly to third parties, typically at an all-in price including facilities and services.
Outbuilding
In office real estate, an outbuilding may refer to a storage unit, server room or garage located on the same site as the main building but in a separate structure.
Overage rent / Turnover rent
A rent structure in which the tenant pays a base rent plus a percentage of their turnover above a certain threshold. More common in retail than in office lettings.
Planning permission / Building permit
Official authorisation from the local authority to construct or substantially alter a building.
Plot area
The total area of a plot, including the building footprint, outdoor space and any parking on the site.
Practice space
A space fitted out for the practice of a profession, such as a GP surgery, dental practice or physiotherapy clinic. Practice spaces are let both independently and within multi-tenant buildings.
Property investment fund
A fund whose sole purpose is to invest in real estate with the aim of generating returns through rental income and/or capital growth.
Property management
A property manager is appointed by the landlord to manage the building on the landlord's behalf. Management can take place at both a technical and a commercial level.
Real estate development
The initiation, planning and realisation of new buildings or the redevelopment of existing real estate.
Refurbishment between tenancies
Work carried out by the landlord on a rental property between two lease periods. After the previous tenant vacates, the space is inspected and remediated where necessary, so that it can be re-let in good condition.
Rent discount
A reduction on the rent for an agreed period, often applied as an incentive when concluding a new lease.
Retail
The sale of goods or services to end consumers. In real estate, the term is also used to refer to retail space and retail formats.
ROZ
The Raad voor Onroerende Zaken (Council for Real Estate Affairs) is a Dutch industry body that publishes model lease agreements for office space, retail space and residential property. The ROZ model lease for office space is the most widely used standard in the Dutch commercial real estate market.
Service charges
Service charges are costs levied by the landlord for supplies and services provided to the tenant and the leased property. These include maintenance of installations, cleaning of common areas, security and energy costs. Service charges are typically reconciled annually on the basis of actual costs.
Shell and core
A shell and core letting means renting a bare office or business space without any fit-out, installations or facilities such as heating, cooling or air conditioning. The tenant is responsible for installing and maintaining these provisions.
Showroom
A space fitted out for the display and presentation of products to (potential) clients.
Single tenant
A building occupied in its entirety by one tenant.
Splitting real estate
The legal subdivision of a property into multiple independent units, each with its own title. Also known as horizontal subdivision or creation of apartment rights. This can be a way to make real estate more financially efficient to operate.
Storage space
A separate space for the storage of goods or other items. This may be located within the same building as the rented office space or at a different location.
Subletting
Subletting is the re-letting of a rented space or part thereof to a third party by the main tenant. The main tenant remains responsible to the landlord. Subletting is only permitted with the landlord's consent.
Temporary office space
Temporary office space is a fully equipped office rented for a short period, ranging from a few hours to several months. It is a suitable solution for bridging periods, project work or temporary capacity increases.
Tenant
A party that obtains use of an office space or commercial property under a lease agreement in exchange for payment of rent.
Title deed
The document certified by the Land Registry confirming that a party is the owner of a property. It is obtained after signing the deed of transfer before a notary.
Turn key
A turn key office space is delivered fully fitted out and equipped. The tenant can occupy the space immediately without further investment in fit-out or installations.
Vacancy
Vacancy refers to office or commercial space that is not let and not in use. In commercial real estate, vacancy is typically expressed as a percentage of the total available lettable floor area within a building, submarket or region.
Virtual office
A virtual office provides a business registration address at a professional location, without the tenant being physically based there. Additional services such as mail handling, telephone answering and occasional use of meeting rooms are typically included or available as add-ons.
Viewing
When you are interested in a particular office space, you can request a viewing. This is entirely non-binding and typically takes place with the owner or agent. During the viewing, you will receive a tour of the building and relevant information will be provided.
Workstation price
The rent for office space expressed per workstation per month. This is a common measure in the letting of flexible and full service office spaces.
Workstation
An individual position where an employee works. When planning office space, a guideline of 8 to 12 m² per workstation is commonly used, depending on the type of office and the degree of flexible working.
Zoning plan
A zoning plan is drawn up by the local authority for all land within its jurisdiction. It specifies where building is permitted and what a building may be used for. The zoning plan is legally binding on both government authorities and private parties.