The most expensive mistake in hospitality is made before the business opens: leasing or buying premises that cannot obtain a business operation notification (γνωστοποίηση), music or outdoor seating. A pre-lease check reveals this before you make any financial commitment.
Working with specialised engineers, our offices check the premises you are interested in before you sign any binding lease agreement (μισθωτήριο) or purchase contract. At the end you receive a written report: whether the business you are planning can operate, on what terms and at what cost.
What we check
- Land use: whether the area permits the activity you are planning (café, bar, restaurant, entertainment venue).
- Building permit and lawful use: whether the space is a main-use or an ancillary space, and whether the plans match the actual condition of the premises.
- Building regulations (κανονισμός πολυκατοικίας): prohibitions and restrictions on uses that bind the premises, even if the current occupants or neighbours have no objection. What counts is the registered regulations and the position of the co-owners, not verbal assurances.
- Local rules of the Municipality: regulatory decisions on shops, music and public space.
- History of the premises: previous violations, sealings or pending matters that may burden you.
- Technical and health requirements: spaces, ventilation, fire safety and accessibility, together with the engineer.
Why before the lease
Once the lease is signed, the tenant is usually committed for years and has already paid a deposit, advance payments and works. If the premises cannot be licensed, the damage is done. With a pre-lease check you know in advance where you stand. You can negotiate terms in the lease agreement, for example that the lease is valid only if the business notification is completed, or look for other premises in good time.
How we work
- You send us the address, photos and any documents you have: draft lease agreement, building permit, building regulations.
- The engineer and the lawyer check the planning status, the building regulations and the local rules.
- You receive a written report: whether or not the business can operate, on what terms, in what timeframe and at what cost.
- If you go ahead, we draft or review the lease agreement and handle the business notification.
Frequently asked questions
The owner says a café already operated there. Is that enough?
No. Previous operation does not guarantee that the premises operated lawfully, or that they meet today the requirements for your activity. Rules and local decisions change, so the check is made for the specific use and at the specific time.
Does this also apply when I buy an existing business?
Yes. When you buy a business that is already operating, we also check its business notification and permits, and the fines, violations and pending cases of the previous operator, so that you do not inherit them.
How long does a pre-lease check take?
It depends on the documents available and on the authorities that need to be checked. From the first contact we tell you what is needed, how long it will take and what it will cost, so that you can schedule it before signing.
See also: Commercial lease agreements · Business notification