What to negotiate, what to walk away from, and the contractual clauses that quietly matter most.
Leasing a flagship office is one of the largest fixed costs a young company will sign. Most founders focus on the per-square-foot rate. The smart ones focus on the operating expense escalation, the fit-out allowance, and the renewal terms.
Three clauses to negotiate hard: a cap on annual escalation, a clear definition of common-area maintenance, and a renewal option at a pre-agreed formula. These are worth more than a few rupees on the headline rate.
Tour the building at 6pm on a weekday. Look at the parking, the elevator wait time, the security desk and the loading bay. The building's afternoon character tells you more than any brochure.
