Warehouse Rental Checklist for Logistics Teams

Use this alongside the Warehouse Industrial for Rent: Complete European Guide.

How to Use This Checklist

This checklist is designed to sit beside the pillar guide. Use it for every search, whether you need one small cross‑dock facility or a new European hub.

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Phase 1 – Preparation

• [ ] Confirm business case and demand forecasts.
• [ ] Map customer and supplier locations.
• [ ] Define service-level requirements (lead times, cut‑offs).
• [ ] Agree minimum specifications:
  • [ ] GLA / GIA range.
  • [ ] Clear height.
  • [ ] Floor loading.
  • [ ] Dock count.
  • [ ] Power and temperature needs.
• [ ] Set budget ranges and target lease lengths.
• [ ] Align stakeholders (operations, finance, legal, procurement).

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Phase 2 – Market Scan

• [ ] Identify target regions and micro-markets.
• [ ] Run “warehouse industrial for rent” searches across:
  • [ ] IndiFind.
  • [ ] Key local industrial agents.
• [ ] Apply filters to exclude:
  • [ ] Insufficient clear height.
  • [ ] Inadequate docks or yard.
  • [ ] Incompatible location or zoning.
• [ ] Build a longlist of 10–20 options per region.

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Phase 3 – Shortlisting

For each candidate, collect:

• [ ] Full specification sheet (size, height, floor, docks, yard, power).
• [ ] Basic cost data (rent, service charges, taxes).
• [ ] Location data (drive times to key nodes, labour market summary).

Then:

• [ ] Score each property using a standard framework.
• [ ] Narrow to 3–5 serious options for physical inspections.

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Phase 4 – Site Visits

At each visit:

• [ ] Verify clear height and column spacing physically.
• [ ] Inspect floor condition and yard layout.
• [ ] Check dock positions, canopies and truck circulation.
• [ ] Review office and welfare facilities.
• [ ] Ask about neighbours, noise, restrictions and local planning.
• [ ] Capture photos and standardised notes for later comparison.

After each visit:

• [ ] Update scores for:
  • [ ] Transport connectivity.
  • [ ] Labour catchment.
  • [ ] Physical suitability.
  • [ ] Risk factors.

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Phase 5 – Commercial and Legal

• [ ] Request heads of terms from shortlisted properties.
• [ ] Build comparison table of:
  • [ ] Headline rent and indexation.
  • [ ] Incentives and capital contributions.
  • [ ] Service charges and taxes.
  • [ ] Lease length and break options.
• [ ] Model net effective rent and total occupancy cost.
• [ ] Engage local legal counsel to:
  • [ ] Review permitted use and alterations clauses.
  • [ ] Clarify repair, service charge and dilapidations.
  • [ ] Stress-test break clauses and notice mechanics.

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Phase 6 – Decision and Implementation

• [ ] Select preferred option with documented rationale.
• [ ] Align internal approvals and sign‑off.
• [ ] Finalise lease documentation.
• [ ] Plan fit‑out and migration:
  • [ ] Racking and MHE layout.
  • [ ] IT and WMS deployment.
  • [ ] Staffing and training.
• [ ] Monitor ramp‑up against service and cost targets.

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Read Next

• Pillar: Warehouse Industrial for Rent: Complete European Guide
• Clusters:
  • Industrial Warehouse Specifications: Complete Checklist
  • Warehouse Rental Costs in Europe: How Much Should You Pay?