Tenant Resources

Tenant and property owner relations can be a bit tricky at times. There are so many aspects of a lease for both parties to acknowledge and understanding your lease details isn't always easy.

If you are looking for a commercial space to rent for your small business and struggling with where to look and what to look for, you’re not alone. Finding the perfect space is critical for the health of your small business — it is a big decision as well as financial investment.

Kenwood Management Company services nearly 200 tenants and over 1000 people in our commercial real estate portfolio every day. From medical to financial services to tech companies, they all have specific needs and expectations. Inevitably, something occurs that impacts them, and they contact us. ...

Updated on December 12, 2023 There is no denying the prevalence of social media in the digital age. Businesses are constantly finding new ways to utilize the various platforms to help drive revenue. Most owners recognize the power of social media but are still hesitant to invest in their business’s ...

When prospective commercial Tenants are looking to lease space, there are many questions to answer and unknowns to contemplate. How much space is needed? How many offices, workstations, and conference rooms are desirable? What is the monthly rent? When will it be ready and how long will this space ...

You are leasing space in a commercial building alongside various other businesses. The property is beautifully maintained. The exterior is clean. The landscaping is neat. The building is filled with businesses that get along. Any broken fixtures are repaired quickly. All of this is thanks to the ...

Published 2020. Updated October 12, 2023. If you've read much on our website or blog or talked to any of our team members, you've probably seen the term "Kenwood Community," but what do we mean by that? Our approach to owning and managing multi-tenant properties is a little different than you might ...

Published June 12, 2019. Updated September 21, 2023. Understanding the mechanics of commercial leases is very important to managing business risks. Business owners must always read the fine print, understand what they're committing to, and plan their exit strategy well in advance. That said, it's ...

Published January 23, 2020. Updated September 14, 2023. Prospective tenants often question why a landlord or our commercial property management team wants to review their financial situation when considering leasing business space in one of our properties. Business owners sometimes feel offended ...

Published May 19, 2021. Updated September 7, 2023. As a tenant, you have most likely discovered that common area maintenance expenses (CAM) are often one component of the total monthly rent for your commercial space. However, many tenants simply pay the amounts billed on their monthly statement ...

Published April 13, 2020. Updated August 31, 2023. When the day finally arrives, and you are ready to sign a lease agreement with your landlord, you feel excited to begin a new chapter for your business. Negotiations went well, you are comfortable with the lease terms, and you are ready to ...

Published January 18, 2021. Updated August 24, 2023. We've all got a TBR (to be read) pile, but what about a TBRA (to be read AGAIN) pile? Here at Kenwood Management, there's a copy of Bob Burg's book The Go-Giver on all of our bookshelves, and we end up reading it again . . . and again. Want to ...

Updated August 17, 2023 Kenwood Management routinely completes commercial property sales. As part of the normal sale process and the due diligence performed by the buyer, we are often required to provide a tenant estoppel certificate for each tenant to execute.

Knowing what you want in a commercial rental space is a great start. However, it's equally important to understand what you don't want to help you narrow your search and avoid common pitfalls. There's a lot to consider when launching a new business, but finding the right space is critical to your ...

Having your heart set on a commercial rental space and then missing out is not only a frustrating experience — it can also throw a serious glitch in the works regarding your planning, finances, and business momentum. Planning and preparation are excellent, but moving quickly on a great deal is ...

Choosing the perfect commercial building for lease is one of the most critical business decisions you will make. You want a space with the right feel, aesthetics, and design for your business but also want to make sure the critical markers like size, amenities, and location are covered. Once you've ...

For ease of grouping and identification, commercial buildings are classified into commercial real estate classes based on characteristics such as age and condition. These classifications are known in the property world as classes A, B, and C (and sometimes D). Determining which class is best for ...

You've locked down the perfect location or negotiated the ideal office space rent deal for your business and have mapped out the finances and strategy. Now what? Marketing your small business and bringing foot traffic through the door is essential for financial success and business longevity. A ...

While a commercial space can look great in photos and hit all your aesthetic requirements, digging a little deeper to ensure details such as financing and legal obligations are met is essential. You don't want to be two weeks into opening your new bar and realizing there are noise restrictions in ...

Commercial leases are legally and fiscally complex agreements. Even if you've signed a residential lease before, you'll be shocked by the changes in terminology, obligations, costs, and legal duties that are attached. Also, leasing a commercial space can take significantly longer (sometimes years) ...

Signing the dotted line on a commercial space for rent is when things start to get real for many business owners. All the planning, research, and hard work culminate in this significant moment. It's an exciting time but can also be nerve-racking—especially if you aren't 100% convinced about the ...

Regarding cost allocation, commercial real estate is a complex landscape. There are many factors to consider, from lease terms within commercial leases to building classifications and even the different methods of measuring a cost per square meter. Whether you're a new business or a seasoned ...

Although thinking about the worst-case scenario is unpleasant, retail store owners must plan effectively for the future to mitigate risks. While there are essential steps such as security measures and fireproofing, taking out retail business insurance will protect your hard work from mishaps and ...

Is a square foot really a square foot? When it comes to commercial real estate, there are different classifications for the space and area of your building, falling under the headings rentable vs. usable space. While it might not seem like much, knowing the difference between these figures is ...

It's easy to cast off property managers as detached or faceless mediators in real estate dealings driven only by profit. However, at Kenwood Management, we believe property management can be more than just collecting rent and number crunching. When it comes to commercial real estate, when our ...

Lately, talent acquisition and retention have been top of mind for many businesses. You’ve probably heard of “The Great Resignation” and the migration of talent. It started at the onset of the pandemic and is still very relevant. It’s left a lot of businesses wondering what they can do to keep ...

Marketing. Every business needs it if they want to grow their customer base. However, the realm of marketing is vast and small businesses have limited resources. The hard truth is that you can’t do it all. Instead, small businesses can optimize both their time and effort by focusing their marketing ...

Moving into a commercial space is a big step for small businesses. It’s a coming-of-age sign that your products or services are growing in demand. As exciting as it may be to have an official office or retail location, choosing the right commercial space requires a lot of forethought. After all, ...

Updated March 21, 2023 Moving your small business into its first commercial space is an exciting time for both you and your business. However, it can be a bit daunting when the landlord puts the lease in front of you to sign. Don’t go into it blind. In Episode 3 of Tenant Talk (Season 2), Kenwood ...

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to move your work out of the house or an established business wanting a new space, you’ll likely find yourself at the crossroads of a major decision. Do you lease a space or do you buy a space?

Kenwood Management is excited to welcome back Tenant Talk for its second season! In season one, we discussed topics such as building a values-based culture, outsourcing talent and managing relationships for referrals. Season two will cover a new variety of new topics packed with helpful insights ...

Starting a business is an exciting time that requires immense planning and preparation. Among the several tasks on your to-do list, insurance should be one of the top items to square away. But, many business owners wonder why it’s so important and which ones they need. The answer is a bit ...

The pandemic saw a startling trend titled “The Great Resignation” where companies saw a high number of employees leaving their jobs voluntarily. The trend hasn’t slowed into 2022 with a record of 4.5 million people quitting their jobs. The demand for workers is high. According to the U.S. Bureau of ...

If you’re getting ready to move into a commercial property, you’re probably doing a lot of research to find out what is right for your business. One of the primary factors to consider when searching for a space is the lease agreement type. The two most common lease types are the gross lease and the ...

For many business owners, work-life balance is practically non-existent. After all, you turned your passion into a business, which is no simple task. But when your work and personal life blend too much, something important is bound to take a back seat, whether it’s spending quality time with loved ...

Think back to experiences you’ve had as a customer. How did that experience make you feel? There’s something to learn from both the positive and negative ones when trying to craft and improve your own customer experience (CX) for your business. Let’s walk through what CX is and the challenges small ...

Most people know that social media is a powerful tool. It’s a quick, inexpensive way to reach a large audience. However, starting and maintaining your brand’s social media presence can seem overwhelming and it may often get moved to the back burner. Even so, social media is not something to be ...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And, the most chaotic for many. With the stress of wrapping up end-of-year projects and making plans for next year, it’s more important than ever for business owners and their employees to manage their health through the holiday season. We’ve compiled some ...

In the past few years, podcasts have been ever-growing in popularity. It seems like almost everyone has a podcast these days, but how do you know which ones to give ear to? We’ve compiled a shortlist to help you wade through the endless options. It’s always a good idea to be forward-thinking in ...

People are coming back to the office in droves. After a long break from the workplace, most businesses are beginning to bring their teams back to the in-person environment. With that being said, it’s time to dust off the offices and prepare them for the new workspace. With 2021 coming to a close ...

Referrals are an important part of business no matter what industry you’re in. A satisfied customer may refer you to someone without asking, but that’s not always the case. In the final episode of Tenant Talk, Kenwood Management Principal Bill Singer and Illumine8 CEO and Founder Christina May ...

No business can get off the ground and grow to new heights without proper plans set in place. In episode 4 of Tenant Talk, Kenwood Management Principal Bill Singer and Illumine8 CEO and Founder Christina May discussed some of the plans all small businesses need and how to put them into action. You ...

As a business owner, you may be well versed in many aspects of growing and operating a small business. You probably even gained some unique insights along the way. However, try as you might, you can’t be an expert at everything. This becomes especially evident when your small business begins to ...

Good office design is paramount to creating a workspace that inspires creativity and increases productivity. When is the last time your office has been refreshed? Does it draw in your employees, clients, and visitors to your space? If your answer cannot be a definitive “yes!”, then it’s time to ...

Growing and operating a small business means juggling numerous moving parts. At some point, your business may grow large enough that you can no longer operate out of your house. If you choose to lease a space, whether it’s a storefront or an office, you’ll be establishing a relationship with a ...

Growing and operating a small business can feel overwhelming, but realize that you are not in it alone. Here at Kenwood Management, we strive to connect our tenants with resources to help their businesses thrive. That’s why we created and launched our Tenant Talk series. Tenant Talk is a 5-part ...

Leasing your first commercial space is a big undertaking and requires careful thought and planning. There’s a lot to consider: how much space will you need? Will you look for fully furnished or outfit it yourself? What amenities are most important to you and your team? These are all great questions ...

Although remote work offers some advantages to employees, there are many benefits to returning to the office. For example, collaboration is more straightforward, technical issues aren’t as big of a worry, and being together in the same building inspires a stronger sense of teamwork and company ...

It seems every week we’re presented with a new piece of business technology that’s designed to be the latest and greatest and dramatically improve our lives. With technology being a $5 trillion industry, we’re constantly inundated with updates and innovations. It can certainly be difficult to parse ...

For any first-time small business owner, signing a commercial lease is a crucial decision that deserves a considerable amount of careful thought, in-depth research, and advice from someone — such as a lawyer — that understands the ins and outs of commercial leases.

Vacations, sunshine, bug spray, sunscreen, longer days, blooming flowers. There are dozens of staples and traditions that remind us of summertime. For many business owners, summer marks the season for reflection and recharge. It’s a time that we dedicate to assessing the first half of the year and ...

For the 2021-2022 season in the NBA, only 10% of players were traded to another team. Meanwhile, at least 30% of your employees are actively job searching right now. To a large majority of employees in the nation, the grass seems greener at a different company, but why isn’t that the case for ...

The day has come. Your home office has finally become too cramped. You’ve crammed two new employees into your house and your garage is swollen with product inventory.

Sports are not unlike business. In fact, sports metaphors can be seen throughout the business world from the “game plan” to the “home run” to the “slam dunk.” Even if you’re not a fan, you can’t deny the influence of organized competitive sports.

Here at Kenwood Management, we strive to build a strong community for all of our tenants. When you lease from us, we go beyond just providing the space. Our goal is to expand the typical tenant-landlord relationship. We endeavor to enhance our tenant’s businesses as well as the neighborhoods and ...

Just in time for the end of the year, Kenwood Management Company hosted a webinar on the 2020 Employment Law Updates that business owners need to know. Hosted by Meredith S. Campbell, Esq. of Shulman Rogers, the webinar was offered as an exclusive benefit to business leaders in the Kenwood ...

Adversity is a healthy part of life and business, and something that should be welcomed with a warm embrace. To truly thrive through your adversities, it is important to start by assessing yourself and your business environment. When done with brutal honesty, this assessment will uncover what is ...

Culture isn’t just a buzzword. Culture attracts ideal candidates to your organization. Culture retains your top talent. Culture creates a frictionless energy that propels your company forward towards its mission and vision.

The four phases of the business cycle — expansion, peak, contraction (recession), and trough — are only one way to look at the evolution of a business. Contraction and recession are often positioned as something that we endure, but these shifts are inherent to growing a business even if they do ...

Kenwood Management Company has launched a monthly lunch-and-learn webinar series that offers tips, insights, and helpful content focused on a variety of pertinent topics. Lunch-and-learn webinars have included human resources in the age of the coronavirus, and cleaning process best practices during ...

“Marty, we’re going back to the future.” I don’t think that when Doc Brown made that memorable and iconic statement in the 1985 movie Back to the Future, the writers could have predicted the coronavirus pandemic 35 years hence. Those words will define some aspects of how businesses will utilize ...

Uncertainty in the economy reminds all investors of the importance of diversifying their investment portfolio. It also represents a time to remember that the landlord-tenant relationship isn’t one-sided. It is a dynamic one where both parties need to work together so that everyone wins. This ...

Kenwood's main priority during this unique and challenging time is to support our tenants, local businesses, and the community. We understand the difficult nature of today's economical climate. To help your organization find solutions, our team compiled a list of federal, state, and local resources ...

Kenwood Management understands that this is an incredibly challenging time for our tenants. Just know that we are here for you and are working hard to provide solutions. We value the Kenwood Community immensely, which is why we will continue to invest in your health, safety, and success.

As a business owner, you know when you’ve outgrown your current office space. You have employees tripled up in a single office, interns working in the hallway, and an outdated color scheme or layout that is inefficient.

Your business is growing. That tentative, short-term lease you signed might have been ideal when you were trying to get your business off the ground, but now it’s time to look at a commercial property that further meets your needs as your business blooms.