If you are a first time, start-up business owner and you are considering signing an offer to lease or the lease itself, please before you do any of that come in and see us for proper advice.
A lease is a very significant and binding contract with a substantial opportunity but largely in favour of the landlord and not the tenant.
It is also likely to be the single largest financial commitment you will make after buying a house.
Just for a moment consider not just the monthly rental and outgoings which could be $2,000 - $7,000 a month or more.
The commitment  you are making is that amount x the number of months of the lease term.
So that could be 36, 48, 60 or 84 months. So in reality we are talking about a binding legal agreement of $80,000 to $600,000 in total.
It is not a level playing field and there is nowhere to hide if your business does not plan out as you believe it might.
In the event that your business goes away the financial commitment does not.
None of this should be overlooked even when you are offered rent free periods or contributions to fit-outs and other inducements.
This should not be an arena that a small business owner with very limited financial resources and no prior experience should be operating in. Of course the landlord or managing agent will not tell you that information - your due diligence is what is required to be fully informed.

Low Cost Legal Advice is rapidly becoming the most frequent request for assistance from small business.
The most apparent reason for this is that small business owners and intenders are entering into legal contracts such as leases, franchise agreements, contracts to buy & sell, business partnerships etc without proper knowledge, consideration or advice.
In many. many cases the amount of money involved is very significant and the losses involved for the business owner or now former business owners will take a very long time to get over, if that is possible. In many cases it is not.
We cannot stress enough how vital it is to get in front of an experienced business advisor and a legal practitioner to a provide proper course of action before signing anything. If at all in doubt don't.

Of greater concern to us as Business Advisors and Management Accountants is the complete lack of proper business planning, business plans, financial plans and the financial resources to sustain the business.

If you are in business, about to go into business or you know someone who is contact us - all will be very grateful for the advice they receive. 

If that is you, we are very keen to talk with you about opportunities and pitfalls of owning and managing a business anywhere in Western Australia. And we could save you a fortune in the process - it's that important. Many new arrivals in WA even with previous business experience do not appreciate that this is an entirely different market place to that of their country of origin wherever that may be. Population, location, sales volumes, demand and preferences all play a huge part in the success of any venture.
If you are buying a business please do not proceed without first talking with us.
There is no cost for a hour consultant with one of our business advisors or accountants - this valuable service is part-funded by the Australia Govt. Book an appointment now.

What is about small franchises that first time business intenders find so attractive and experienced business owners would just walk away from?

The high cost of entry, the fact that most are a start-up businesses with no trading history and therefore no income, the probability of earning less than half of what they earn in paid employment, if it all works out and no opportunity to recoup the cost of expensive training, plant & equipment and other capital costs and then nothing to sell at the end of venture. 
And the lifestyle bit that is often included =  7 day / week commitment to make the thing work.
And a franchise agreement so heavily weighed in favor of the franchisor. 

To many, in and around business this is very common knowledge and yet many intending business owners are snared in this trap.

Franchising as a concept is a great way to duplicate a successful, well run business model - a turnkey business as coined by Michael Gerber. The truth of it is the franchise industry in Australia needs to develop some real integrity and eradicate the sort of practice as outlined about instead of just turning a blind eye.

Ross Greenwood  sums it all up very well in his article -  A show of  good faith for franchising - in the Smarter Business Ideas Magazine published by Telstra.