Essential Questions to Ask Tenants Before Leasing Your Space
What to ask—and why it matters—to make sure your space is in the right hands.
Finding the right tenant can make all the difference when leasing out your space. A strong screening process helps you avoid issues down the line and ensures your property is used in the way you intended. Whether you’re leasing a retail spot, office, or creative studio, asking the right questions up front gives you peace of mind and helps set clear expectations from day one.
Start with the Basics
Begin with simple, factual questions to understand the tenant’s setup and plans:
What type of business do you run?
How long have you been operating?
What kind of space are you looking for, and for how long?
What dates are you looking to move in and out?
These help determine if the tenant’s needs match what your space can offer—especially important for short-term or pop-up leasing.
Dig Into Their Fit for the Space
Beyond the basics, it’s worth understanding how the tenant intends to use your space:
What will a typical day in the space look like?
Will there be loud activities or high foot traffic?
Do you require signage or display areas?
Are any fit-outs or temporary changes needed?
This is your chance to make sure their plans align with your building rules, neighbours, and any broader precinct expectations.
Ask About Bump-In and Bump-Out
Short-term tenancies come with added movement—so it’s important to clarify what the tenant’s setup and pack-down will involve.
When do you plan to bump in and bump out?
Will you need access outside of regular hours?
How much equipment or stock are you bringing in?
Do you need assistance with logistics or loading bays?
Clear bump-in and bump-out arrangements help reduce disruption to neighbours and ensure a smooth handover between tenancies.
Financial Transparency
You don’t need a full financial history, but basic questions about their budget and payment habits are important:
What is your lease budget?
Are you able to pay rent upfront or provide a bond?
Do you have experience leasing commercial space?
These questions help protect your income stream and give you confidence in the tenant’s reliability.
Consider Broader Operational Factors
LOCATION FIT
Consider whether your space suits the tenant’s customer base. If they’re targeting younger shoppers or tech-savvy consumers, is your property in an area with the right kind of foot traffic? Accessibility is also key—can people easily get to and enter your space?
Check local activity trends and peak hours
Look at how other nearby businesses operate
Think about visibility and signage opportunities
AGREEMENTS AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
A clear rental agreement is essential, even for short-term leases. Depending on how involved your tenant’s setup will be, you may also need to consider:
Licence to occupy
Casual mall licences (if within a shopping centre)
Supply agreements or employment contracts (if the tenant brings in staff or vendors)
Having these in place ensures both parties understand their roles and reduces the risk of disputes.
INSURANCE
Even a temporary tenancy carries risk. Ask the tenant:
Do you have public liability insurance?
Are you covered for property damage or injury claims?
Do you need to insure any of your equipment or displays?
Check your own insurance too—some policies may require updates when a space is occupied short-term.
Make It Easier with PopHub
At PopHub, we make the short-term leasing process smoother for both landlords and tenants. We help you list your space with the right details, guide tenants through key steps like bump-in, insurance, and agreements, and increase your listing’s visibility across Australia.
Want to find the right tenant faster? List your space with PopHub and let us do the heavy lifting.
