How to Lease Industrial Space: 10 Ways to Find Tenants

This article is written for commercial property owners trying to lease industrial space to tenants.

A vacant space is expensive… Here are some practical ways to connect with tenants who are looking to rent commercial or industrial spaces.

1. Ask People You Know First

Start with people you already know. Suppliers, local manufacturers, or even neighboring businesses who need or may know someone who needs space. A direct conversation with someone you know can move faster than any listing site. You might even consider contacting your local Chamber of Commerce or attending regular meetings.

2. Contact Local Businesses Based on How Your Space Functions

Don’t market the space as generic square footage or its “convenient location.” Focus on what makes it usable and consider contacting these businesses directly.

• If it’s a smaller building with parking and van access, local service companies might need it, like HVAC or pest control companies.
• If it’s mostly open inside with some shelves or racking, it could work for businesses that store and move chemical products, like a local cleaning company.
• If it’s near highways, companies that do regional deliveries might also be interested.

3. Look at Who’s Already Shipping Into Your Area

Some companies may move products through your region but don’t have a local warehouse. There are ways to find them, some tools and services help surface shipping activity by region, or you can ask around, delivery drivers in your area may have a sense of who’s moving volume in and out of the area regularly.

If a business is shipping into your area often, they might benefit from storing inventory nearby instead of paying to haul it every time. That’s your opening to start a conversation.

4. Offer Short-Term Space to Businesses With Temporary Needs

You don’t have to offer a long lease to make the space useful and profitable. Some brands only need temporary space. Consider reaching out to local businesses, including:

• Brands that rely on seasonal tourism
• Brands prepping for holiday surges
• Event vendors or pop-ups that need space for a few months

5. Offer Your Space as a Backup for Projects That Fall Behind

Sometimes companies plan to move into a new building or renovated facility but things get delayed. Construction timelines slip. Permits hit a snag. These businesses still need somewhere to operate. If you know a nearby project is running behind, reach out. Your space could be a short-term fallback or a long-term replacement if the delay drags on.

6. Build a Two-Way Overflow Arrangement With a 3PL

Sometimes your space sits empty. Sometimes a 3PL runs out of room. Instead of treating these as separate problems, set up a two-way arrangement: when they’re tight on space, you give them access to part of your building for overflow. When you’re in a bind, like needing to place a short-term tenant, they may return the favor.

These relationships aren’t formal partnerships, though they can be.. They’re based on trust and repetition. Help each other when overflow space is needed. Over time, it may become a steady source of leads.

7. Track Who Reaches Out and Why It Didn’t Work

Keep a basic log of everyone who contacts you about the space. Include their name, what kind of business they run, what they were looking for, and why they didn’t move forward. Maybe the space was too big, the ceiling was too low, or the lease term didn’t fit their plans.

This list becomes useful over time. Some of these contacts will need space again, and you’ll be able to follow up when you have something that fits bette

8. Offer a Flat Fee to Brokers Who Bring a Deal

You don’t need to sign a full listing agreement to get brokers involved. Let them know you’re offering a set payout say $1,000 to $2,000, if their lead signs a lease. This gives brokers an incentive to bring the right kind of tenant your way. It’s a low-effort way to expand your reach with someone else doing the heavy lifting for you.

9. Work With a Broker Who Handles Industrial Space

Not every broker understands how industrial deals work. Focus on those who represent tenants in warehousing, logistics, or manufacturing. They’re more likely to bring in the right kind of leads quickly.

10. List Your Industrial Property with Us

Industrial tenants move quickly, and they don’t waste time on listings that are hard to find, vague, or outdated. If your space isn’t clearly positioned, easy to evaluate, and visible in the right places, you’re likely being passed over. it’s about showing up where they’re already looking, with a clear offer that fits their needs.

List your warehouse on WarehousingAndFulfillment.com. We’re built to connect property owners with businesses searching for overflow storage and fulfillment-ready facilities. The goal is simple: make your industrial space easier to find by the right kind of tenants.