How to Get Your Offer Accepted
Making a successful offer on a commercial property takes more than just naming your price. Over the years, we’ve helped tenants make offers, advised landlords on which ones to accept, and seen exactly what makes the difference.
There’s a real knack to getting your offer accepted and moving smoothly to the Heads of Terms stage. Below, we share our five best tips to help you become the landlord’s preferred tenant and secure your space with confidence.
5 Tips on How to Get Your Offer Accepted
1. Never make an offer before you have viewed.
This is a golden rule for two reasons.
First, for your own benefit: every property is unique. Marketing photos or Google Street View won’t show you everything such as ceiling height, condition, or true footfall. Viewing in person helps you avoid wasted time or costly surprises later.
Second, for the landlord’s benefit: they won’t take your offer seriously if you haven’t viewed. Think of it this way, would you sell your house to someone who hadn’t seen it?
Submitting offers without viewing can also hurt your reputation. If you’ve done it once, landlords and agents may assume you’re doing it elsewhere too.
2. Impress with your offer.
Get the agent on your side, and you’ll often get the landlord on your side too.
When you make your offer, make life easy for the agent. Include everything they need in one clear and well-presented message. Don’t make them chase you for missing details. A complete offer builds confidence and helps move things forward faster.
What to Include in Your Offer
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Your proposed rent and lease terms
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Business background and trading experience
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Proof of funding or financial readiness
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Contact details for your solicitor
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Any fit-out or refurbishment plans
A well-prepared offer stands out and shows that you’re professional, organised, and serious about taking the space.
3. Demonstrate that you are ready to move quickly.
Landlords want tenants who can move fast. Make sure your business is fully prepared before submitting an offer.
Do you have the documents and details the landlord will ask for? Use our Get Tenant Ready Checklist to double-check everything before you apply. Being prepared helps the process flow smoothly and gives you an edge over slower applicants.
4. Appoint your solicitor before making an offer.
Line up a solicitor before you make your offer. Then include their contact details when you submit it.
This shows you’re serious and ready to move fast. Many tenants wait until after their offer is accepted to find a solicitor, which can delay things for weeks. Having one already appointed can make you look more professional and help you beat the competition.
You can find a solicitor here if you don’t already have one.
5. Make the offer a sensible one but leave room for manoeuvre.
Your first offer starts the negotiation process. The rent shown in marketing materials is a guide price, not a fixed rate, and it’s often 10 to 15 percent higher than the agent’s true valuation.
Be confident but realistic. A cheeky offer can work, but going too low might backfire if there’s strong interest from other tenants.
How to Find the Right Balance
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Research recent lettings in the area
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Understand the landlord’s goals, such as speed or rent level
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Factor in fit-out costs or property condition
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Stay flexible and ready to respond quickly if there are competing bids
In the end, your success depends on how competitive the space is and how strong your offer looks overall.
Resources:
- Offer template
- Get Tenant Ready Checklist
- Build your Landlord Pack
- Find A Solicitor