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Office rentals: Price of premises and lease agreement 

We have created easy-to-use guides to help you get started with choosing premises and to support your company through the different stages of the selection process. In this guide, we explain how the price of the premises is determined and what should be included in the lease agreement.

In office space rentals, one important factor is the cost of the premises. The price of premises is affected by many things, such as the location and size of the premises, services at the property, the rental period and any necessary modifications. 

Location is the most significant cost factor. Premises located in the largest growth centres, close to good transport connections and services are the most sought-after, and their rental prices are also the highest. When weighing the price, you should consider what you get for it. A location in the heart of Helsinki may cost more, but it offers better growth opportunities and brand visibility. Similarly, high-quality facilities and modern building technology increase costs, but they also improve well-being at work and performance. The commercial terms affecting the rent are reviewed for the first time at the offer stage. It’s a good idea to request offers for more than one listing, so you can compare different options. Whenever you receive a quote, make sure you have understood all the points correctly and ask for more information if necessary. 

Two different lease agreement models are commonly used for the lease of business premises. In the overall lease agreement, maintenance costs are part of the rent, and in the divided lease agreement, capital and maintenance rents are separated. Agreement types vary by owner and property. 

The most important things that increase the attractiveness of the office are the functionality of the technology and equipment (97%), a relaxed and warm atmosphere (96%) and the ergonomics of the workstation (95%). 

Current State and Outlook of Office Work 2025, study: nSight & Sponda

The maintenance and upkeep costs of the property consist of, among other things, property tax, heating costs and property services. Property services include, for example, the cleaning of public spaces and property maintenance. Electricity costs are usually paid by the tenant in accordance with consumption. Water charges are often included in the rent, if the tenant’s activities do not differ from standard office use. Lobby services are usually invoiced separately from the company. Cleaning of office premises is also typically the tenant’s responsibility. The costs of necessary alterations and interior design are agreed on a case-by-case basis. 

Here is how you can influence the rental price:

• Choose a sustainable property and lessor: Energy-efficient and smart heating, ventilation and safety solutions, along with professional property maintenance, significantly reduce maintenance costs. 
• Favour a large lessor: Relocating is easy as the company grows, a large partner also enables the centralisation of services, and additional, warehouse and coworking spaces can also be made available. 
• Commit to a longer lease: A long lease reduces the rent and allows the repair costs to be spread over a longer period of time. 
• Invest in adaptability: Savings are created when the premises are suitable for many purposes and can be easily modified during the lease period. 
• Optimise the quality level: The company may make a strategic choice to select a central location with slightly fewer office services, for example. 

Office premises are most often rented under a fixed-term lease that is profitable for both the tenant and the lessor. An open-ended lease may be suitable for a start-up company that finds it difficult to commit and anticipate the future – but the lease price may be more expensive than for a fixed-term lease. Property owners usually prefer fixed-term leases. 

Long-established, larger companies tend to value long-term leases because they provide stability and lower lease costs. The length of a lease often determines the extent to which the spaces can be modified. 

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Read our other guides to help you choose the right premises:

• Office rental process 
  What are the steps of the process and the timeframe for it? 
• Company’s strategic needs 
  How can facilities support a company’s brand and growth goals? 
• Need for space and size of office space 
  What size of office space is best for your business? 
• Use of premises 
  What kind of premises and operating methods promote the well-being and productivity of your staff? 
• Location of the premises 
  Why is location the most important thing in the choice of office premises? 
• Office building 
  What kind of office building is best suited for your business, in terms of age, appearance and style? 
• Viewing the premises 
  What are the things to consider when viewing the premises? 
• Lessor 
  How do you recognise a good, value-adding facility partner? 
• Move and occupation of the premises 
  How should the scheduling of the move and the division of responsibilities be handled? 

Published: 01/21/2025

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