Are you aware that offices are easier to maintain when someone is using them? It’s tragic to think that most offices might never come back to full operation. As workers continue their work-from-home setups, offices are emptied, and most are put up for lease, rent, and even sale. But what about those who already had long-term leases signed before the pandemic?
While the government gave them a reprieve from having to pay monthly rent during the height of the pandemic, things are back to normal now. This means they have to face the music—should they continue maintaining the office in the hopes of going back to it in the future or should they face penalty fees and scrap the lease agreement (provided their tenants allow it)?
It is not the easiest decision to make, of course. Business owners have to think on their feet about what happens next to their companies. Should they maintain an office space they haven’t used for over a year? Or, should they think about sub-leasing the space? But while that dilemma hasn’t been solved yet, the problem remains to be how office owners can maintain the space and not let it go to waste.
Check the Space in Person
Depending on the lockdown restrictions in your area, make sure to visit the office space in person. You can identify potential problems in the office and have someone look them over. If you can fix some of these issues, then you can work on them personally. This will save money that your business doesn’t exactly have to spare right now. Visiting the office will also help you plan if you’re already thinking about moving back your operations there.
Take Care of the Lawn
If you have a well-manicured office lawn, don’t let that go to waste. Remember that your business’ curb appeal has a huge impact on your potential customers. It will take some time to grow grass naturally or to cut perfectly shaped plants. It will also be expensive to have a gardener or landscape architect do all those things again.
One of your options is to install a lawn irrigation system. It includes a sprinkler system that can be set to a specific time so that the lawn will still be adequately watered even if there’s no one present to care for it. But even if you put that issue behind you, another one will crop up—you have to mow the lawn or have someone do it for you. Again, you can do it yourself or hire a professional who can regularly visit your commercial space to care for its yard.
Turn off the Electrical Source
If you have to leave the space for a long time, then you need to turn off its electrical source. You can work with an electrician on how you can separate the electrical source of the yard (so you can install an irrigation system) from the main switch. This way, only the areas where you will need electricity will be left turned on. Since no one is going to use the office, it’s practical to turn off the power there as it can cause accidents. Not to mention, the cost of running power will cut on your already dwindling financial resources.
Clean and Air out the Space
Have someone clean the office at least every two weeks. This will make sure it won’t have cobwebs when you decide to return. Plus, it’s better to open some doors and windows for ventilation. Letting the air circulate will remove the musty odor that is usually associated with a space that’s been enclosed for too long. This will also make it easier for you to ready the space once you decide to have your employees back. No one wants to work in a stenchy office.
Transfer Internet Connectivity
You have to continue paying for the internet connectivity of the office space, don’t you? Can you, perhaps, ask the service provider if you can transfer the service to your home? Another option would be to put the contract on pause, so you don’t have to pay those hefty monthly fees. Check the provision for this under your government’s pandemic-response-related laws and policies.
Working from home has its perks, but maybe you should think about going back to the office now. Don’t let that good office space go to waste. If anything, your business needs a semblance of normalcy. That will begin by letting your employees go back to the office or operating partially from the office.
