How to Find Tenants for Commercial Property: A Practical Guide for Landlords

Finding the right commercial tenant takes longer than most landlords expect — especially for the first time. Understanding the channels available to you, and how they work in practice, will save time and reduce the cost of an extended void.

Instruct a commercial property agent

A good commercial agent brings market knowledge, an existing register of active requirements, and the negotiating experience to agree heads of terms efficiently. For most landlords letting commercial space — particularly larger or more complex units — instructing a reputable local commercial agent is the most effective starting point.

Ask prospective agents:

• What requirements do you currently have on your register for space like mine?
• How many comparable units have you let in the past 12 months?
• What marketing will you conduct — portals, direct canvassing, email?
• What are your fees and what does sole agency vs multiple agency mean for my property?

List on commercial property portals

Rightmove Commercial, CoStar, and Zoopla Commercial are the main online portals where commercial property is advertised to active searchers. Portal listings generate enquiry volume and are a standard part of any agent's marketing — but they are passive. You are waiting for someone who happens to be searching to find your listing.

Use a reverse marketplace

A reverse marketplace inverts the traditional process. Rather than advertising your property and waiting for enquiries, you access businesses that have already described what they need — their requirement, location, budget, and timeline. RE:match is a UK reverse commercial property marketplace: occupiers post their requirement, and landlords and agents respond directly to briefs that match their available space.

This means you are contacting businesses that already know they need space, have already specified what they want, and are actively looking. The quality of engagement is materially higher than a cold enquiry from a portal.

Direct canvassing

For units on busy roads or in established commercial areas, direct approaches to nearby businesses — particularly those in unsuitable or outgrown premises — can be effective. This requires time and local knowledge but costs nothing.

Social media and local networks

LinkedIn, local business Facebook groups, and local Chamber of Commerce networks generate genuine enquiries for smaller commercial units, particularly offices. The audience is smaller but the intent can be higher — a business owner who sees a post about a suitable unit may respond immediately.

What to do while you are waiting

Every week your property is vacant costs you: in empty property business rates (typically 100% of the occupied rate after the initial exemption period), insurance, maintenance, and opportunity cost. Use the time productively:

• Ensure the property is presentable and well-maintained
• Make sure it is accurately listed on all relevant portals with good photographs
• Brief your agent regularly — ask who they have approached and what the response has been
• Consider whether asking rent or lease terms could be adjusted to attract more interest
• Register on RE:match to access active occupier requirements matching your space

RE:match is free for landlords and agents to join and respond to requirements. Access businesses actively looking for commercial space at rematch.co.uk.