1. What is Rentable Square Footage?

Rentable Square Footage is the total area for which a tenant pays rent, including usable space plus a portion of the building's common areas. It's calculated by multiplying the usable square footage by the load factor (also called add-on factor).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Usable Square Footage — The actual space occupied by the tenant (sq ft)
• Load Factor — Multiplier representing common area share (unitless, typically 1.1-1.2)

Explanation: The load factor accounts for shared building spaces like lobbies, restrooms, and hallways that tenants use but don't occupy exclusively.

3. Importance of Rentable Area Calculation

Details: Accurate rentable area calculation is crucial for fair leasing, comparing space options, and understanding true occupancy costs in commercial real estate.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter usable square footage in sq ft and load factor (must be ≥1). Typical office load factors range from 1.10 to 1.20 (10-20% add-on).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between usable and rentable square footage?
A: Usable is your exclusive space; rentable includes your share of common areas. Rentable is always ≥ usable.

Q2: How is load factor determined?
A: It's calculated as: (Building Rentable Area ÷ Building Usable Area). Each floor may have different factors.

Q3: What's a typical load factor?
A: Office buildings typically range 1.10-1.20 (10-20% add-on). High-rises often have higher factors than low-rises.

Q4: Does this apply to all property types?
A: Most common in office leases. Retail often uses "Gross Leasable Area" and industrial may use "Gross Square Footage."

Q5: Can load factors be negotiated?
A: The factor itself is usually fixed, but tenants can negotiate how it's applied or verify its accuracy.