Legitimate reasons for moving abound, people need more space, less space, want a more attractive space or a more economical space. But then, as a leasing agent, we deal with the crazy and weird situations, some with bright solutions.  Here are a few from the Compass Commercial book of woes:

 If the cockroaches had saddles, you could ride them to the rest room 

A friend tells me her coworkers had a contest to find and bottle the biggest cockroaches in the office. The employees spent more time spotting the little buggers than doing their work. The building had been downgraded from Class A to Class B and janitorial service was cut substantially. New office tenants dealt with society’s neediest citizens who slept in the street or in congested shelters. The bug population exploded. The company hired an exterminator sprayed such toxic fumes around the office many people got ill and blamed management. When the complaints reached such a tenor work came to a standstill, the organization was forced to fumigate, and then move to a building with higher cleanliness standards.

I will never forget a call that came in from a truck terminal manager many years ago.  He claimed mice were living in the ceiling of the warehouses’ office and spent all day scurrying about, their nails scratching on the tiles. The ceiling was collapsing from the weight of their feces.  We verified this was accurate and moved people out before anyone suffered lung problems from the mouse offal.  

The space is heavy into the sauce

One manager might have visions of growing the business with libations. He courts clients with a bar and lounge adjacent to the employee lunchroom. This may be fun for clients who stop for a pint on the way home but it could distract employees from their jobs when they hear boisterous laugher. Others with a problem could begin sneaking drinks during working hours. If a client or an employee drives home drunk after imbibing in a company-sanctioned bar the owner could be sued. You are better off entertaining in a licensed tavern nearby that carries insurance.

With the recession, a large number of clients find their space needs altered by shifts in business demand. There’s a temptation to rent space in an industrial setting for classic cars and motorcycles. Make sure nothing leaks from the pipes and the forklifts stay far away from the pricey merchandise or you could get a whopping bill for repairs. 

Can you sublet?

Check with a tenant representative to read the fine print of your lease and try to renegotiate space with the landlord or allow a company to sublet space within your office.

Some creative companies lease to entrepreneurs who enjoy having a lobby, a receptionist and a premium location for the cost of a cubicle and a fraction of expenses. They might work some hours from home and use their cube and the conference room for discussing work with clients. Look at several different options for space use. Ideas are wide open. Just make sure your entrepreneurs have legitimate businesses. And you think all the factors through. Some bright ideas can backfire.