What To Do When Your Commercial Space Throws You a Curveball

Renting a commercial space is a little like moving in with a new roommate—it’s mostly fine until, well, something goes wrong. Suddenly you’ve got a leaky roof, a mysterious draft, or maybe your lights flicker when the air kicks on. And of course, it always happens when you’re already juggling a dozen things at work.

But hey, don’t panic. You’ve got more options than you think, and most problems (even the really annoying ones) can usually be sorted out with the right steps—and just a tad of patience.

Spot the Problem and Don’t Ignore It

Let’s face it, stuff breaks. Sometimes it’s a small drip in the ceiling; other times you’re dealing with a total internet blackout. Whatever it is, don’t just shrug it off and hope it magically fixes itself. Trust me, I’ve been there. That little puddle under my office window once turned into a small indoor pond. If something feels off, write it down. Snap a few photos with your phone. That way, if it gets worse—and, let’s be real, it sometimes does—you’ve got proof of how it started.

Check Your Lease Before You Start Demanding Things

So here’s a thing I wish someone had drilled into me: grab your lease and actually read it. Not the most thrilling way to spend an evening, but it’s important. Your lease spells out who’s responsible for what, and every lease is a bit different. Some landlords handle repairs top to bottom, while others expect tenants to chip in for smaller fixes. There might be a section about what happens if something major, like plumbing, goes sideways. Knowing this helps you make the right call—and saves you from some awkward conversations.

Reach Out to Your Landlord—Sooner is Better

I know, not everyone loves calling their landlord. But if something’s busted, don’t wait. Reach out by email or whatever the preferred method is (it helps to have things in writing). Explain exactly what’s wrong—the more details, the better. If you can, toss in those photos you snapped. Most landlords want to keep their space in shape, so you’ll often get a faster response if you’re clear and polite.

Bring in the Pros (If You Need To)

Sometimes, you’ll get the green light from your landlord to call out a pro—especially for messier stuff like wiring, leaking pipes, or roofing issues. For example, if you spot water stains overhead or that mysterious drip keeps popping up, you might want to suggest professional help, like a company that deals in commercial roofing services. Experienced crews see stuff the rest of us might miss, and it keeps things safe for you and your team. Really, it’s better to bring in an expert before things snowball.

Keep Receipts, Emails, and All the Odd Bits of Paperwork

Whenever there’s a repair or work being done, keep every piece of communication. Forward emails, save receipts, and jot down when things happened. It could all come in handy if there’s any confusion later. In a pinch, I’ve even just taken pictures of the paperwork and sent them to my own inbox, just so I wouldn’t lose track.

When It’s Not Getting Fixed (And You’re Out of Patience)

Here’s where it can get tricky. If you’ve reached out and nothing’s getting done, don’t just sit quietly. There are steps you can take, and it’s not as scary as it sounds. Consider reading up on your rights and local regulations at sites like Nolo, which covers a ton about what tenants can do if repairs aren’t happening.

Sometimes, standing up for your workspace means making a little noise. But don’t worry—it’s your right to have a safe, functioning place to run your business. At the end of the day, the space you rent should support your work, not make it harder. If it helps, remember you’re not the first, and you definitely won’t be the last, to wrangle a stubborn repair or two. Hang in there.