Back to C12042

Version 1.0 Produced 2012-09-07

Higher education institutions (HEIs) should refer to the following guidance relating to commercial space when completing the Estates management record.

Commercial space that can be separately identified as a discrete area along with all associated costs, staff, energy, waste, emissions etc. should be excluded from the Estates management record.

Only in circumstances where commercial space cannot be identified in accordance with the aforementioned conditions should it be included in the Estates management record, along with all associated costs, staff, energy, waste, emissions etc.

HEIs are asked to indicate the floor area that meets the definition of commercial space for each of Total GIA and Total NIA included in the Estates management record. This treatment allows such space to be excluded from some ratios (such as space per student) but included in others (such as energy use per m²).

The term commercial space/property (also called investment or income property) refers to buildings (or part buildings) or land intended to generate a profit or strategic benefit to the HEI, which might be from capital gain, rental income or collaboration benefits, i.e. intellectual property rights or other. The arrangements may be by licence, lease or other formal arrangement. In general, commercial space would be let to a third party, whose aims and objectives are not an integral part of the core function of the HEI. The floor area of any commercial space that is currently vacant, even if it has been let previously and may be again, should not be separately identified as commercial if the costs associated with that space are included elsewhere within the Estates management record.

Contact Liaison by email or on +44 (0)1242 388 531.