Lease surveys SEQ

What is a lease survey?

Lease surveys are undertaken to measure the area of land or space within the walls of a building. This area forms the basis for determining the dollar value of the rental of the land/premises over the life of the lease. Many Leases are based solely on a per square metre value. It is therefore important to engage a Land Surveyor, not only to gain an accurate measurement, but to comply with the Land Titles requirements for long term and high valued leases. For these leases, the plan must be registered in the Titles Office in Queensland.

When do you need a lease survey?

Any building or land lease that has a term greater than 3 years is considered a long term lease and it must be accompanied by a lease plan prepared by a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor. Any lease within a complex of more than 5 units must also include a master sketch showing the unit location within the complex.

Property council of Australia guidelines

Lease surveys are carried out with the guidance and recommendations of the Property Council of Australia. The handbook “Method of Measurement” for lettable area is often used as the basis upon which surveyors measure floor space in leased premises. This booklet provides guidelines for the measurement of office buildings, retail shops, industrial warehouses, and other mixed use premises. The method adopted depends upon the type of lease and this depends on the agreements between the owner and lessee and the negotiated terms of the lease. For instance, the lease measurements may include the external face of walls, or in some cases may simply run to the internal face of the wall. Certain Purpose built facilities may or may not be included in the lease depending on the agreed terms.

Our Experience

East Coast Surveys (Aust) have provided assistance with numerous Lease surveys including Retail shopping Centres such as Victoria Point Lakeside Shopping Centre, Industrial or Warehouse type Lease Surveys such as for large manufacturing operations at Hemmant, and many medium sized commercial leases across the Redlands and South East Queensland.