Question 1

How long does it typically take to find a tenant once a property is listed?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed timeline, as it depends on the property's location, size, condition, rental expectations, and actual demand in that micro-market. In some cases, terms are finalised within a week; in others, the process may take a few months. In general, ground-floor spaces tend to lease faster than upper floors, particularly for retail and food-and-beverage brands.

At Bricks & Spaces, we first assess the property and identify the most suitable tenant profile before marketing it. For example, in Chennai, locations such as Pondy Bazaar, Usman Road, G. N. Chetty Road, T. Nagar, Second Avenue and Shanthi Colony in Anna Nagar, Chromepet, Selaiyur, Perambur, Adyar, Indira Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Sardar Patel Road, Velachery, OMR, Perungudi, Thoraipakkam, Padur, Navalur, ECR, Kottivakkam and Neelankarai generally attract enquiries faster. Suburban markets such as Kolathur, Ambattur, Avadi, Tiruvallur, Red Hills, Guduvanchery, Singaperumal Koil and Chengalpattu may take longer, depending on the property and tenant requirement.

Question 2

What documents does a property owner need to provide to get started?

Accepted Answer

To begin the evaluation, we generally request the floor plan, property photographs and videos before the site inspection. These help us understand the approval status, layout, exact carpet area and whether the property is suitable for prospective tenants.

After the property inspection and discussion of commercial terms, the following documents may be required for legal due diligence: Ownership/title documents or sale deed, Patta copy, Encumbrance certificate, Property tax details, Latest electricity bill or EB receipt, Building approval and plan details (wherever applicable), Floor-wise area statement including carpet area and built-up area.

The exact documentation required depends on the nature of the property and the transaction.

Question 3

Do you charge the property owner, the brand, or both — and what is the fee structure?

Accepted Answer

We may represent either the property owner, the brand, or both parties, depending on the nature of the engagement. Our commercial terms are discussed during the initial property evaluation and may vary based on the location, property type and transaction scope.

We maintain complete transparency in our commercial structure. The fee arrangement is clearly agreed upon before proceeding with a mandate or engagement letter, with no hidden charges.

Question 4

Is there a minimum property size or location that you will take on?

Accepted Answer

We primarily work with commercial properties suitable for organised retail, restaurants, supermarkets, offices, warehouses and other commercial occupiers.

Our typical retail requirements start from approximately 1,000 sq. ft. and can extend to 20,000 sq. ft. or more, depending on the brand, format and location. However, we evaluate opportunities based on location potential and tenant suitability, rather than size alone.

We have executed retail transactions ranging from approximately 700 sq. ft. to 22,000 sq. ft. across Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Thanjavur, Erode, Salem, Coimbatore and other Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. We also handle warehousing requirements in Chennai, Trichy and Madurai.

Question 5

What happens if a tenant defaults or wants to terminate the lease early?

Accepted Answer

These situations should be addressed clearly in the lease agreement. Having worked with national and regional brands, we understand the importance of properly documenting commercial and legal obligations.

The lease agreement should define the rights and responsibilities of both parties, including the lock-in period, notice period, security deposit, termination conditions, default provisions and applicable remedies. Legal advice should be obtained from the respective parties' legal professionals before signing the agreement.

Question 6

Which towns or cities have you closed deals in beyond the five featured on the website?

Accepted Answer

Our work has covered several Chennai micro-markets and locations across Tamil Nadu. These include Pondy Bazaar, Tiruvallur, Velachery, Alwarpet, Triplicane, Chromepet, Mylapore, Tambaram, Selaiyur, ECR, Thiruverumbur, Gummidipoondi, Yercaud, Madurai, Trichy, Thanjavur, Erode, Salem and Coimbatore, along with other emerging and established markets.

Question 7

Are you actively expanding into Andhra Pradesh now, or is this an aspiration for the near future?

Accepted Answer

We have already entered markets such as Rajahmundry and Bhimavaram and have successfully executed transactions there.

Andhra Pradesh is an important part of our growth strategy as we expand our network of brands and property owners beyond Tamil Nadu.

Our approach is market-led. We do not claim coverage merely for visibility; we enter a new market when we have the right local network, suitable property options and active brand requirements to execute transactions successfully.

Question 8

Do you handle semi-urban or rural commercial properties, or only town and city centres?

Accepted Answer

We are not limited to city centres. We also evaluate semi-urban and emerging locations where there is strong customer potential, accessibility, visibility and a viable business opportunity.

For retail, the most important factors are the customer catchment, purchasing power, population, accessibility and the suitability of the location for the particular brand. Whether an area is classified as urban or semi-urban is less important than its commercial potential.

Question 9

How long has Bricks & Spaces been operating?

Accepted Answer

Bricks & Spaces was established during the COVID period. However, our team brings more than a decade of experience in the retail sector, having worked with reputed organisations and brands.

Even during the COVID period, we continued to work and successfully closed retail property transactions. This reflects our understanding of local markets, site selection and the commercial factors that influence a brand's expansion decisions.

Question 10

Are leases registered and legally vetted by your team, or do you only facilitate introductions?

Accepted Answer

Bricks & Spaces is primarily a commercial real estate advisory and leasing facilitator. We identify suitable opportunities, connect the right parties, support commercial negotiations and coordinate the transaction process.

Lease documentation, registration and legal due diligence are handled by the respective legal professionals appointed by the owner and tenant. We do not act as a substitute for a property lawyer. Where required, we can refer clients to experienced lawyers who specialise in commercial property transactions.

Question 11

Can you share two or three real success stories, anonymised or named with permission, along with relevant numbers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can share relevant transaction case studies, subject to client confidentiality and permission. These may include the city or micro-market, property type, approximate area, tenant category, time taken to close and the commercial factors that made the transaction successful.

Question 12

What is the minimum and maximum store size you typically place for retail brands?

Accepted Answer

Our typical retail requirement starts from approximately 1,000 sq. ft., while larger requirements can extend to 20,000 sq. ft. or more, depending on the brand format, category and location. We have also handled select requirements below 1,000 sq. ft. where the location and business opportunity were strong.

Question 13

Do you work only with established national brands, or also with growing regional and local brands?

Accepted Answer

We work with both established and growing brands. Our network includes national brands, regional brands, QSRs, restaurants, supermarkets and businesses looking to expand into new markets.

The key factor is whether the brand, property, location and commercial terms are a strong fit for one another.

Question 14

How do you assess footfall before recommending a location to a brand?

Accepted Answer

Before recommending a location, we assess several factors: population, residential catchment and purchasing power; existing brands, stores and complementary businesses nearby; property visibility and frontage; accessibility, road width and ease of entry and exit; parking availability; traffic flow and pedestrian movement; competition and category saturation in the area; rental value and the commercial viability of the location; suitability of the catchment for the specific brand and its target customer.

Our objective is not simply to identify a high-footfall property, but to recommend a location that supports the brand's business model and long-term performance.

Question 15

What is your typical response time after someone submits the contact form?

Accepted Answer

We generally aim to respond to enquiries within one business day.

Question 16

Do you offer virtual site visits or video walkthroughs for owners or brands based outside the city?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can coordinate video walkthroughs, property photographs, market videos and virtual site inspections, particularly for brands or owners who are not physically present at the property city.

Question 17

Is there a minimum lot size for warehousing or industrial leasing that you work with?

Accepted Answer

We do not have a fixed minimum lot size. The requirement depends on the nature of the business and its operational needs. This may range from a smaller commercial or industrial space to a large warehouse or industrial facility.

For example, we have worked on warehouse requirements of 1 lakh sq. ft. and above, while also handling smaller spaces. Key evaluation factors include location, road access, clear height, loading and unloading facilities, parking, power supply, building layout and the specific operational needs of the business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How the leasing process works

Where we operate

Trust, experience and how we work

Information for retailers and expanding brands

Practical questions

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