Practical broker authority guide
Commercial expertise starts with the business use, not the floor area.
An office, retail unit, warehouse, industrial plot and income asset require different location, building, licensing, access, fit-out and transaction questions. A general residential shortlist is not a substitute for relevant commercial experience.
Quick answer
Define the intended business use and operational constraints, then assess the broker's recent asset-type knowledge, evidence, authority checks, total occupancy or ownership cost and ability to coordinate specialist advice.
Reviewed: 12 July 2026
Criteria to define before the conversation
An office, retail unit, warehouse, industrial plot and income asset require different location, building, licensing, access, fit-out and transaction questions. A general residential shortlist is not a substitute for relevant commercial experience.
- Relevant experience in the exact commercial asset type
- Understanding of access, loading, parking, fit-out and operating needs
- Comparable evidence with like-for-like lease or sale terms
- Clear boundary between brokerage and licensing, legal or technical advice
Questions that test the expertise
Ask for specific answers that can be connected to your brief and later evidence.
- 1Which properties are compatible with the intended activity?
- 2What building or free-zone approvals need separate confirmation?
- 3How are rent-free periods, fit-out and service costs compared?
- 4Which specialist must verify use, condition or contract?
Evidence to retain
Separate what you observed, what the broker stated and what a document or official source proves.
- Business-use requirement translated into a property checklist
- Comparables adjusted for size, term, condition and incentives
- Property authority and advertisement details
- Written list of approvals and assumptions outside the broker's control
A practical decision process
Use the steps in order and pause commitment when a material gap appears.
- 1Define the activity, staff, customers and logistics
- 2Separate occupation cost from headline rent or price
- 3Inspect access, services and condition with relevant specialists
- 4Verify permitted use and documents before commitment
A broker's market experience does not itself approve a business activity or fit-out. Confirm licensing, planning, safety and contractual requirements with the responsible authorities and advisers.
Frequently asked questions
Is a residential broker licence enough for commercial advice?
Do not infer expertise from a general title. Verify current authorisation and ask for relevant, evidence-based experience in the exact asset type.
What is total occupancy cost?
It can include rent, service or operating charges, fit-out, deposits, utilities, parking and other contractual costs. The exact components depend on the property.
Should the broker confirm business licensing?
The broker can identify questions, but the responsible licensing authority and appropriate professional should confirm whether the activity and premises are acceptable.
Official sources and references
Procedures and fees can change. Confirm the latest position with the official source before a transaction.