When comparing office units, the floor area figures can be more confusing than they first appear. The space you pay for is not always the space you can use, and misunderstanding this can lead to a poor comparison between units. This guide explains net lettable area, gross area, and efficiency ratios in KLCC offices, so you know exactly what you are renting.
The Key Definitions
Gross area typically includes a share of common areas such as lift lobbies, corridors, and building cores. Net lettable area is the figure your rent is usually based on, while the usable area, the space you can actually lay out with desks, is smaller still once you account for internal walls, columns, and circulation within your unit.
Why the Efficiency Ratio Matters
- Two units of the same lettable area can have different usable space
- A more efficient floor plate fits more desks per square foot paid
- Columns, odd shapes, and core position all affect usability
- The efficiency ratio tells you how much of what you pay for is usable
When comparing units, ask for the efficiency ratio or the usable area, not just the lettable figure. A cheaper unit with poor efficiency can cost more per usable desk than a pricier, efficient one.
How to Compare Fairly
Translate every unit into cost per usable square foot or cost per desk you can actually fit. This levels the playing field between units with different layouts and efficiency. It is the same principle as comparing total monthly cost rather than headline rent, look past the surface figure to the real value.
Apply It to Your Search
Understanding area definitions makes you a sharper tenant. Pair this with our guidance on choosing the right office size, benchmark rates in our rental rate guide, and compare units across the KLCC office buildings directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is net lettable area?
It is the floor area your rent is usually based on, which typically includes a share of common areas. Your usable area, the space you can actually lay out, is smaller still.
Why does the efficiency ratio matter?
Because two units of the same lettable area can offer different usable space. A more efficient floor plate fits more desks per square foot paid, affecting real value.
How should I compare units fairly?
Translate each unit into cost per usable square foot or per desk you can fit, rather than comparing headline lettable areas, which can hide big differences in usability.
