Do we stay in our current premises or move on? It sounds simple—but the reality is that this decision is often made hastily, emotionally, or re-actively. And it shouldn’t be.
In our role as an advisor to businesses across South Africa, we see this scenario play out constantly. A lease expiry is far more than a routine real estate event—it’s a strategic inflection point for your business.
Handled correctly, it becomes an opportunity to reduce cost, improve operational efficiency, and align space with future growth. Handled poorly, it can lead to unnecessary expense, disruption, and missed opportunity.
What Triggers the “Stay or Go” Dilemma?
Lease expiries typically trigger uncertainty in three key areas:
- Cost: Is the rent still market-related? What kind of incentives could we negotiate elsewhere?
- Fit-for-purpose: Does the space still support our team size, workflow, and branding?
- Risk: What happens if we delay the decision—or rush it?
If you’re asking these questions too close to expiry, you’re already behind. The truth? You should start evaluating your options 12 to 18 months in advance.
CORPORATE REAL ESTATE SERVICES
How we Help: The “Stay vs Go” Strategic Report
To cut through the noise and emotion of the decision, we provide our clients with a comprehensive “Stay vs Go” Strategic Report—a decision support tool built around real data, current market intelligence, and operational alignment.
Here’s what’s included:
- Cost Comparison: Current lease vs. projected cost of relocation (including hidden costs like downtime, fit-out, and IT migration).
- Space Efficiency Audit: Do you need more space, less space, or just better space planning?
- Operational Fit Assessment: Does the current location still serve your team, logistics, clients, and brand?
- Market Availability: What else is available right now—and what could be available if you plan 6–12 months ahead?
- Landlord Leverage Score: An assessment of your negotiating power in the current market.
The goal is simple: We help you make a fully informed, fully strategic decision. With vacancy rates fluctuating and incentives shifting across the country, landlords are negotiating differently. Some markets favor tenants. Others don’t. The timing of your decision could literally affect the next 3–5 years of your business performance.
Whether you’re 18 months out or already approaching expiry, We can help you take control of the decision. Our advisory approach is direct, data-driven, and built to give you clarity where others give pressure.
Beyond the Stay vs Go report, we offer a full suite of Tenant Representation Services designed to protect your interests, maximize leverage, and ensure you’re never negotiating blind.
Whether you’re staying, relocating, expanding, or consolidating — we work exclusively for you, not the landlord. That means no hidden agendas, no pressure, and no compromises that don’t serve your bottom line.
