how to rent a room?

[MostWanted]

Next year I'll hopefully have the opportunity to rent a therapy room in a new health and wellbeing centre that is being built locally. I currently work 4 days a week in another job, and would like to start working as a therapist on my day off.

I have had a brief chat with the person in charge and it sounds very exciting, but I have some silly questions about how renting a room actually works. I know different places will work differently, but I wondered if those of you who rent rooms can explain how it works?

Does the therapist book their own appointments, or does the reception look after them? Who takes payments from the clients: the therapist or the reception desk? How much do rooms cost to rent? Will I be able to set my own prices for treatments or are they dictated by the centre so that every therapist charges the same?

I've been told they will probably expect therapists to bring in their own couches as the rooms will be rented to lots of different practitioners, some of which may not need couches.

Any info on what others do will be gratefully received.

Ali

 

[pmdmnotv]

hiya Ali,
congrats on this opportunity.

Firstly, if they are going to be renting rooms out to a lot of other therapists, then they will probably have their own system, so you will have to check that it fits in with you.

Are you taking a client list with you, or will you be relying on the centre to supply you with clients? If its the later, then they will probably take bookings and then ring you to let you know you have a 3pm in for an Indian head.

Again, you will have to check about payment, as if clients want to pay by credit/debit card then you will have no control over that.

One place I worked at, a busy beauty salon, had a column for me, booked clients in and took the money. I worked on a 25:75% ratio.

The room I have now, they take my appointments and are open 5 days a week, wheras I only work their 2 days. They ring me to let me know what appointments I have, and I only go in for those appointments, I don't sit around hoping for clients to walk off the street. I take all payment, supply all my own stuff, etc. I then pay them at the end of the money, again its a 25:75 ratio.

 

[Cluloupfluopy]

I have rented offices in a shared building, which we have converted into therapy rooms. We are responsible for our own bookings etc because ours our private and locked rooms that nobody else uses.

You can opt for a serviced building, which means that you get extras such as a cleaner and receptionist (it varies) but you have to pay an annual fee for this.

Just have a word with the landlord and they will be able to tell you how it operates as there are so many different types. I have a nutritionist friend who uses a room a couple of days a week but she has had to buy her own couch and leaves it there for other therapists to use as it is too big to remove it each time. She has a receptionist book her appointments as she is there on specific days.

HTH

 

[Warrior1]

Hi alijane1123 - I think you need to contact the 'person in charge' and say that you have a couple of silly questions to ask, and then ask her what you have outlined above. For instance:
do they intend to supply couches/chairs in the therapy rooms? I can't imagine all the rooms will be empty, or there will be a traffic jam in the hallway with therapists negotiating with chairs and couches!!!
Will you be responsible for your own bookings, or will reception do this on your behalf, and notify you of bookings?
Will reception collect the fee, if so, will you receive the full amount or will an increment be deducted for room rental?
It sounds from your post as if there is alot to be ironed out before the centre opens, and you really should talk to the management in order to be able to prepare. It may be that it would not work out cost-effective for you.
A few years ago I worked one day a week at a centre about 40 miles from home. It worked well. I had my own client base and invariably saw 6 clients there throughout the day. I was the busiest therapist. The arrangement had been that I paid £25 per day room rent, regardless of bookings. I supplied my own linen, as the couch was 'in situ' (just a portable - nothing exciting) (it was a very small room). The owner of the centre obviously took exception to my 'success' and overnight put my charge up to £25 per half day - £50 per day. I had been there 3 years, but when I got that letter, I never went back.
Make sure you get details in writing before agreeing to any terms and conditions!

 

[James Churchley]

Alijane, as I rent out rooms I can give you an owners perspective.

I would find it very strange if someone came to me and didn't ask all the questions you have asked the forum. When a person comes to me and looks to rent a room it tells me they have done their homework and are taking the whole thing seriously if they ask questions.

I have found that those who don't ask questions tend to be niave, are just starting out and end up looking to the centre to "run their business for them" (by that I mean they appear to think that room rental money also guarentees clients despite it being made clear that this is not the case).

All your questions are very relevant. Also ask about marketing, will it be included in price, is it paid for in a group by all practitioners or do you do your own. Will you get to leave literature, posters, cards etc.

Jabba, that was a tad out of order increasing your rent by 100%, did they do that to all the therapists or just you? My Manager keeps telling me I am too soft and need to charge more for things (such as hiring out expensive equipment etc). I guess when owners are doing things like that I must be too soft!!

Regards

Patchouli

 

[fosterRoyal]

It was me and one other person, who also had a full day of clients. Both of us had joined the centre with a full client list. Neither of us stayed on after we received the letter stating our charge was increasing. I heard through the grapevine that the centre closed a few months later.

 

[eruluddixendy]

My friend, who is a massage therapist, had an arrangement where she rented room for a percentage of her fees. However, this only works if you know the person you are renting from well enough for them to trust you AND if you already have enough established clientele that you can immediately create profit for the person renting the room.

Another way I've rented was just to rent the room straight out. If it's a private room and you have a private entrance, it works great. You handle your own calls, book your own appointments, pay a certain rent per month, and keep the rest.

Then, of course, as others have mentioned, you can rent space in a spa or salon that has other therapists. In that case, I agree that clarity is of the utmost importance and every question should be asked, and answered fully, before signing a rental agreement or lease.

Referring back to my friend, she has also worked in salons where she just paid a straight percentage per massage to the salon owner. That way, she was free to work when she wanted (within reason, they usually require a minimum number of massages a week) and it was simple because the salon booked the appointments. She just showed up on days she scheduled herself to work, and did the massages.

 

[Bruce Parry]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice. I now feel much happier about asking these questions. I didn't realise renting rooms work in many different ways, so of course the questions are all pertinent.

When I spoke to the lady in charge she still didn't know how they were going to run things, just that she expected it would work on the basis of renting rooms. The finished centre is still a long way off, so their decisions on these matters will be too I guess, but I am going to keep in touch with them and ask these questions.

Thanks again

Ali

 

[Kelly Byfield]

I might be able to rent a second room for a few days a week. The person who has the room has tried many options with other therapists and is sick of being let down.
When she was showing me around, she said she would just probably rent the room out, so I think that means she will want a set rent/fee per day regardless of how many hours I do.
If that is the case, how much is a reasonable rent for a room above a hairdressers in a small village? She has done the room out, it has a shower, can use it when the hairdressers isn't open, but will have to supply my own products, towels, etc.

 

[Hal Mark]

Would other people be using the room or would you be the 'sole tenant'? Would you have a key to prevent access by the hairdressers downstairs? Would you be able to leave stock and supplies unattended (towels etc)? Do you already rent a room on the premises? (You say "I might be able to rent a second room for a few days a week).
It is a tough question, but the owner of the business should come up with a rent amount, and then you can assess whether you can afford it.

 

[Poster]

hiya Jabba,
well I think I have the answers to your questions.
She wants £60 a week rent.
she will put a lock on her hairdressers door downstairs (we will share the front door and hallway).
I rent a room in another town 2 days a week and pay a percentage to them.
I can use the room anytime I like, and I can (when its open) use their toilet and kitchen area, but not when they are not in.

Initially I thought £60 a week is do-able, but the husband says its too much and what about annual leave.

I asked the owner if she would help me out for the first few weeks which she said she would no problem. She said she would think it all over over the weekend and get a contract drawn up to state that I have to give notice if I want to leave, etc.

 

[inzgrqinq]

Have I read this correctly - you will NOT be able to access the toilet or kitchen area if they are not in? Does this mean that you won't be able to work on clients outside the hairdressers hours? Or, is there a loo in the shower that you said was part of your 'arrangement'? I have to agree with your husband, if you are working restricted hours then £60 is probably too high. It would be interesting to read the contract she is having drawn up.... by a solicitor? I had to give 3 weeks notice when I rented a room one day a week.
I currently rent a business unit in a local town. It has two treatment rooms, a waiting room, lobby and loo/sink/tea making area. I pay £60 a week rent, and can use it 24/7. I have to pay extra for electricity and water. In November I am having an office/treatment room built in my garden! I am fed up of the property owner gloating about his golfing holidays in the Maldives - he owns lots of properties in the area......

 

[Gabrielle Bell]

so do you think £60 a week is too much?
she said I can have access to my room 24/7, but she will lock the hairdressers when they are not in.
I wouldn't want to be there more than 3 days anyway, and will need to build it up.
I keep thinking £60 pw, is 2.5 treatments, but its still a lot to pull out in quiet times and holiday times too.

I think I've got room to negotiate a little with her.

She is only going to type something up, along the lines of what;s in the room, and me giving notice, ie 2 weeks before I leave.

she said she would help me out for the first few weeks, ie not take full rent.

Its a big commitment, and I'm frightened.

 

[out2lunch4now2]

the loo and kitchen area is accessed through the hairdressers.
she said it would be available for my clients to use, and I can use both too.

 

[NaTuReS BeAuTy]

If I were in your position, I would ask her to reduce the rent to £50, and ask for a short term trial of about 3 months with the option to extend at the end of the term. If you are only ever going to see 2.5 cleints a week over that period, then there is not point in paying out hard earned money. However, if you average say 6 or 8 clients a week, then it would definately be viable, and you could 'suggest' that the rent increases to the £60 original offer at the end of the short term trial period. I don't know what therapies you offer, but I know that I would lose 75% of my clientele over night if I moved to rooms which required climbing stairs. A period of 'adjustment' might be a good way to start. Fingers crossed!!!!

 

[Just Be]

thanks Jabba.
I have texted her and told her I have discussed the rate of rent with colleagues (you! ha ha!!! joking, have friends in the biz too)and my husband and all have said the rate is too high.
I will be seeing her on Tuesday, but have offered her to ring to discuss this beforehand.
I would be much happier at £50 as that is 2 treatments a week. My hub reckons I should pay £40 but hey, she's not a charity, and I'm not greedy.

The potential is their isn;t it, to earn money from it. I generally see 4-10 clients a week at my other room, so if she plays hardball, I could offer to raise it after 6 months.

I have to also take into account holidays (4-6 weeks annual leave) so have to do some sums (says my hub who is a big fan of excel).