In this article, you'll learn:

• What load factor is and how it affects your rentable office space.
• The difference between usable, rentable space, and how load factor is calculated.
• How to compare load factors across buildings to manage leasing costs.
• Why load factors can provide value through shared amenities and common areas.

When you rent an office, you don't just rent the space that you occupy. You also gain access to shared areas in the building like lobbies, hallways and restrooms and landlords don't let you use that space for free. Instead, they tack it on to the space that you rent as a load factor. Also referred to as a core factor or a loss factor (among other names), understanding your building's load is key to getting visibility into what you are actually getting for your company's expenditure.