Discovering BOMA Measurement Standards: The Key to Accurate Leasable Space Calculation

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) provides established standards for measuring the leasable square footage of office buildings. Understanding these standards is essential for both landlords and tenants to ensure fair and accurate rental agreements. Here’s how it works:

Proration of Common Areas

Spaces such as corridors and restrooms on a multi-tenant floor are generally prorated and added to each tenant’s rental space. The proration method ensures that tenants fairly share the cost of these common areas.

Practical Example

Imagine an office floor shared by three tenants. The floor includes:

• 900 square feet of corridors

• 300 square feet of restrooms

• Tenant A occupies 2,000 square feet

• Tenant B occupies 1,500 square feet

• Tenant C occupies 1,000 square feet

The total rentable area (without common areas) is 4,500 square feet. The total common area (corridors and restrooms) is 1,200 square feet. To fairly disburse this common area, each tenant is allocated a proportional share based on their occupied space. For example:

• Tenant A receives an additional 533 square feet of common area
• Tenant B 400 square feet
• Tenant C 267 square feet

Thus, the rentable areas become:

• Tenant A: 2,533 square feet
• Tenant B: 1,900 square feet
• Tenant C: 1,267 square feet

This apportionment helps ensure an equitable rental distribution based on each tenant’s usage of not just their private office space but the common areas they benefit from as well.

Allocation of Space

Shafts such as elevator shafts and vertical ducts are generally not allocated to any tenant. These areas are considered non-leasable as they are structural and integral to the building’s utility and functionality rather than direct use by tenants. As a result, they are excluded from the rental space calculations.

Why BOMA Standards Matter

a) Accuracy and Fairness: Implementing BOMA standards ensures that everyone - from building owners to tenants - operates on the same footing concerning office space measurement and cost distribution.

b) Comprehensive Calculations: Covering areas like proration of common spaces provides complete and detailed assessments that extend beyond simple square footage measures.

c) Trust and Transparency: Using recognized standards builds trust between landlords and tenants, fostering smoother negotiations, clearer contracts, and transparent dealings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the purpose of BOMA measurement standards? A: BOMA Standards help ensure a fair and consistent methodology for calculating the leasable space in a building, aiding both building owners and tenants.

Q: Are vertical ducts measured in the leasable area? A: No, vertical ducts and similar utility structures are not included in the leasable area as they are necessary for the building’s function but are not part of the functional rental space.

Q: How are proration of common areas determined? A: Common areas such as corridors and restrooms are proportionally distributed among tenants based on their occupied space to ensure fair usage cost allocation.

Related Terms: office leasing, space management, building measurement standards, property leasing.