Renting a commercial property can get expensive. In addition to paying rent, you may be responsible for additional costs, including:   Insurance. A commercial property insurance policy covers damage and loss to property from certain unforeseeable events, such as fire, theft, natural disasters, etc. The average small business will pay between $1,000 to $3,000[lt_source id="2"] per year for coverage.  Property taxes. Taxes paid to the state and/or municipality for property owners are assessed as a certain percentage of the property's market value. You may be asked to pay a share or all of the property taxes. Maintenance. Costs associated with the upkeep of the commercial property's interior and exterior. Depending on the lease terms, you may also be responsible for a portion of the maintenance costs of the property's common areas. Repairs. Costs of repairing broken equipment and/or damage to property.  Security. Depending on the property and the nature of your business, you may need to invest in a security system or hire security guards. Parking. Most commercial lease agreements will include parking spaces. But if none are included, or you need more, adding parking can cost thousands. Local nuisance laws. If your business emits noise, scent, or other matter that runs afoul of local laws against nuisance, you may be subject to fines or other penalties.   Utilities. Includes gas, water, electricity, sewer, trash collection, etc. Depending on the property and the lease agreement, you may have to pay for your utilities or a portion of the entire property's total utilities.  Modifications. Costs associated with interior or exterior adjustments you make to the property to fit your business needs. To get a complete picture of the costs involved in a commercial lease, don't forget to consider and forecast costs beyond just the monthly rental payment.