A property brief is simply a clear statement of what you need. The more specific it is, the less time everyone wastes on spaces that were never going to work. It also makes it far easier to compare options fairly, because you are measuring each one against the same criteria.
The business and the concept
State what the business is, who it serves and how it operates. A brief that says "a 40-cover family café open 8am–10pm, takeaway-heavy on weekday mornings" tells an advisor far more than "a café".
Space, budget and timeline
- Approximate carpet or built-up area you need
- Budget range for rent and deposit, and for fit-out
- Target opening date and how firm it is
Location and catchment preferences
Name the areas you are considering and why, the catchment you want to reach, and any no-go zones. If you are flexible, say so — it widens the options an advisor can bring you.
Must-have facilities and constraints
List the practical essentials: frontage, parking, kitchen or exhaust requirements, power load, ground-floor access, and anything your licence or operation depends on. Separating must-haves from nice-to-haves keeps the search realistic.
For franchise-led searches
If you are opening a franchise, include the brand's space and territory criteria up front, so the search aligns the brand's requirements with the location and lease from the start rather than discovering a conflict later.