The brochure is not the building
Before a lease is signed, the tenant needs more than a rendered lobby. The Whole Building Design Guide lists tenant requirements that include image, public access, operating hours, growth, security, technology, acoustics, utility services, health hazards, process flows, and economic objectives. Those questions belong in due diligence because a visually attractive floor can be operationally wrong.
A Vastu review may highlight orientation, entrance, centre, and zone relationships. Combine that reading with a measured brief: headcount, meeting load, equipment, client visits, privacy, daylight, storage, accessibility, and expansion.
Ask for evidence before asking for concessions
Request the latest floorplan, north reference, area statement, service drawings where available, HVAC zoning, electrical capacity, fire and life-safety information, access arrangements, and operating restrictions. Walk the space at a busy time. Note glare, noise, odours, heat, lift queues, loading access, maintenance routes, and the condition of finishes.
Then turn findings into lease language or a decision gate. A constraint that cannot be changed should be priced, accepted, or rejected before signature. A promised upgrade should have an owner, specification, timing, and acceptance test. Good due diligence is less mystical than the meeting that follows it, which is why it is so useful.
The final decision is a trade-off
No space is perfect. The report should rank deal-breakers, manageable constraints, and optional improvements. If a preferred orientation conflicts with accessible circulation or fire safety, say so plainly. If a daylight problem can be solved with shading and furniture placement, quantify the work rather than rejecting the floor on atmosphere alone.
A lease is a long conversation with the building. It is wise to read the first chapter before signing the rest.
Sources and verification notes
The factual building-performance and safety statements above were checked against the following public references on 11 September 2026. Traditional interpretations are presented as interpretations, not measured causal claims.