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Net Lettable Area (NLA) Survey

NLA (Net Lettable Area) Survey is a measurement for a commercial office tenancy or building. Suitable for all leasing applications & rental determinations.

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Get Your NLA Survey Today

Ensure your office leases are backed by accurate, PCA-compliant figures.
Geospatialworx Logo IconSora, Chief Happiness OfficerIan Nguyen, Director
Not ready to request a quote yet?
Reach out to the team directly and we’re happy to help.

Net Lettable Area (NLA) Surveys for Leasing and Compliance

At GeospatialWorx, we deliver Net Lettable Area (NLA) Surveys in accordance with the Property Council of Australia’s (PCA) Method of Measurement, providing landlords, tenants, and property managers with accurate, transparent, and legally defensible area data—so every m² is right for leases, disclosure, and valuations.

What Is a Net Lettable Area Survey?

A Net Lettable Area (NLA) Survey measures the lettable portion of a commercial or retail tenancy/building in line with the Property Council of Australia (PCA) Method of Measurement.It is typically measured to the internal face of the dominant portion of perimeter walls and excludes common areas, amenities. service rooms, stairs, lifts and vertical penetrations—providing a clear, defensible figure for leasing.

Why Use NLA Surveys?

  • Leasing Accuracy – Prevent costly disputes by defining lettable areas clearly and consistently.
  • PCA-Compliant Reporting – All measurements are prepared under the PCA’s official guidelines.
  • Transparent Data – Give all parties (landlord, agent, tenant) confidence in the agreed area.
  • Audit-Ready – Suitable for inclusion in leases, valuations, and compliance reports.
  • Portfolio consistency – Apply a standard approach accross sites and mixed use assets..

Our Process

1. Site Measurement
Using Leica 3D laser scanners and total stations, we capture accurate measurements of all internal boundaries, walls, and features defining the lettable space.

2. Data Analysis & Calculation
Our team calculates Net Lettable Areas based on PCA standards — ensuring consistency across buildings and tenancies.

3. Quality Review & Compliance Check
Every survey undergoes a quality assurance process to confirm PCA compliance and accuracy to within millimetre tolerance.

4. Deliverables
Final survey outputs include digital plans, area tables, and certification suitable for inclusion in lease documentation or valuation reports.

Made for

  • Landlords and Asset Managers – Verify lettable areas for valuations, leasing, and investment purposes.
  • Leasing Agents – Clear, defensible areas to support negotiations and disclosure.
  • Property Valuers and Consultants – Reliable, PCA-compliant inputs for rent assessments and advice.
  • Tenants - Rents, outgoings, and market reviews are calculated per square metre. A PCA-compliant survey gives you certainty on the area you’re paying for—which can potentially save you real money.

Technology We Use

  • Leica 3D Laser Scanners
  • Topcon Total Stations
  • BricsCAD / AutoCAD for drafting

Deliverables - Report Inclusions

  • PCA-Compliant NLA Floor Plan
  • Area Summary Tables (sqm and breakdowns)
  • Identification of lease boundaries and their definitions
  • Statement of PCA compliance
GeospatialWorx delivers PCA-compliant NLA surveys that make lease areas clear, defensible, and audit ready— so every m² counts where it matters most.

Get Your NLA Survey Today

Ensure your office leases are backed by accurate, PCA-compliant figures.
Geospatialworx Logo IconSora, Chief Happiness OfficerIan Nguyen, Director
Not ready to request a quote yet?
Reach out to the team directly and we’re happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an NLA Survey used for?

To define lettable area for leases, rent reviews, disclosure statements, and valuation work in line with the PCA Method of Measurement.

How is NLA measured?

Generally to the internal face of the perimeter walls & centre-line of inter-tenancy walls.

What is included and excluded in an NLA Survey?

Included: commercial office spaces & store rooms
Excluded: common lobbies, service risers & cupboards, stairs/lifts, public corridors, plant rooms, toilets/amenities, and other PCA-defined non-lettable areas.

Can amenities be included in NLA if they are exclusively used by the tenant?

Unfortunately the PCA make no exceptions for any base building service areas under exclusive use. The amenities in question will still be excluded from NLA and listed as an exclusion on the survey.

How are balconies and court yards treated in NLA?

Any areas not fully enclosed and open to the external environment such as balconies and court yards are excluded from NLA.

How are columns treated in NLA?

The area occuped by internal columns are included in NLA.

When should I choose NLA vs GLA/GLAR or GFA?

Use NLA for commercial leasing. GLA for Industrial, GLAR for retail. GFA is a planning/development bulk measure—separate purpose.

Can you do an NLA survey without physically attending site?

No unfortunately due to the legally binding nature of an NLA Survey, it must be prepared from live up to date survey data. For this very reason we apply high accuracy total stations and or 3d scanners to every PCA Survey.
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