Finding and taking on premises for your organisation

So your organisation wants to take on premises for the first time?  Or perhaps you want to re-locate to new premises?  This section identifies the things you need to think about – before you even start looking for premises, and then during the process of finding and taking on premises.  It highlights the key questions, and provides answers, usually through providing a link to high quality information, guidance and support.

A key source of information to which we will refer you frequently is The Premises Fact Finder on the MyCommmunitySpace website which is a specialist premises website for the community and voluntary sector.

VAI’s website aims to help you use this and other source of information in the most efficient and productive way, and also includes some additional information that you will not find on other websites.

Taking on premises for the first time
Taking on premises is an important stage in an organisation’s development. To get it right you need to consider:

  • Do you really need premises?
  • What are your premises needs – e.g. size; location; do you need your own premises or could you share, etc?
  • Does your organisation have the right structure to take on premises?
  • Where to look, and understanding the Islington property market
  • The cost implications of taking on premises, and where to look for funding
  • How having premises will fit into your longer term plans
  • Do you want a lease or a licence, or is buying a freehold a possibility?
  • How do you negotiate the best deal?
  • Do you need professional help?

Relocating from your existing premises

Maybe you have outgrown your existing premises, or need to move for other reasons?  How can you manage the re-location process as efficiently and painlessly as possible?  You need to consider the following key questions:

  • What agreements have you entered into to occupy your current premises? This is likely to affect what you need to do when you move
  • What are your premises needs – e.g. size; location; your own premises or could you share, etc?
  • Does your organisation have the right structure to take on premises?
  • Where to look, and understanding the Islington property market
  • The cost implications of relocating, and where to look for funding
  • What type of tenure do you want?
  • Do you want a building you need to improve or re-furbish?
  • Is a new-build a possibility?
  • How do you negotiate the best deal?
  • What professional help do you need and where can you get it?
  • How do you deal with delivering your service during a move?

For answers to these questions about taking on premises for the first time or re-locating to new premises use the links below to the following sections on the Premises Factfinder website:

Before you start

Finding and taking on premises

Building or improving premises

Professional advice

Information on the Premises Factfinder website is organised around the typical questions that people from the third sector ask about premises, which also identifies sources of specialist professional help and other resources.

See also Additional Information at the end of the next section on ‘Managing and maintaining your premises’ on this website for further information on a range of issues including:

Information developed by Voluntary Action Islington’s Community Buildings Project
Funded by the Big Lottery