Finding an office in Malé is a balancing act. Ministries, banks, the port and most clients are on the same small island, so a central address saves time every day. But space is limited and buildings vary enormously in quality. This guide explains what office space costs in Malé and Hulhumalé in 2026, how to compare offers fairly, and what to check before you sign a commercial lease.
Office rents at a glance
Commercial rents are less transparent than residential ones, and asking prices move with each building's age, floor and fit-out. Use these figures as a starting point:
| Type of space | Typical size | Indicative monthly rent |
|---|---|---|
| Small office unit in older building | 300 – 600 sq ft | MVR 8,000 – 18,000 |
| Mid-size office, central Malé | 800 – 1,500 sq ft | USD 1,400 – 3,000 |
| Full floor, newer building | 2,000 – 4,000 sq ft | USD 3,500 – 8,000+ |
| Hulhumalé office or commercial unit | 500 – 2,000 sq ft | Often 15 – 30% below comparable Malé space |
A real example: on Maldives Investments, a 1,000 sq ft office in Malé is listed at USD 1,800 a month, about USD 1.80 per square foot. See current offers under commercial and office rentals.
Compare by price per square foot
Total rent tells you little on its own. Divide the monthly rent by the usable floor area to compare offices fairly. A USD 2,000 office of 1,250 sq ft (USD 1.60 per sq ft) is cheaper per square foot than a USD 1,500 office of 750 sq ft (USD 2.00). Then adjust for what is included: a fitted office with partitions, air conditioning and a pantry may be worth paying more for than a bare shell that needs MVR 200,000 of work.
Always ask whether the area quoted is the usable floor space or includes shared corridors, stairs and walls. Measure it yourself if you can. For how buyers think about price per square foot in residential property, see our 2026 price per square foot data.
Location: Malé or Hulhumalé?
Central Malé
Best for businesses that deal with ministries, banks, courts and the port every day. Walking distance to clients saves hours a week. Main roads such as Majeedhee Magu, Chandhanee Magu and Orchid Magu, and the northern waterfront, carry a premium. Side streets are cheaper but less visible.
Hulhumalé
Newer buildings, wider roads and better parking. Good for back offices, tech and creative businesses, and companies whose staff live in Hulhumalé. Phase 2 is growing fast, and new commercial buildings are opening. Read about the area in our Hulhumalé guide and Phase 1 vs Phase 2.
Other options
For warehouses and industrial uses, Thilafushi and the new port area are becoming more important. Read what Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi mean for buyers.
What to look for in the building
Lift and access
Clients and staff will not happily climb six floors in the heat. Check that the lift works, has a maintenance contract, and can take furniture and equipment. Is there step-free access?
Power and backup
Ask about the electricity supply capacity, separate meters, and whether the building has a backup generator. For IT-heavy businesses, plan for a UPS.
Air conditioning
Split units are the norm. Count them, check their age, and agree who maintains them. Older units use far more electricity.
Internet
Confirm which providers can connect fibre to the building and how long installation takes.
Toilets, pantry and water
For sale nowFrom MVR 3.6M1+1 Bedroom Apartments at Bayfancy · HulhumaléShared or private? Is the water supply reliable on upper floors?
Fire safety
Look for extinguishers, a clear fire escape and alarms. For some business licences or bank requirements, fire safety approvals may be checked.
Signage and visibility
Can you put your name on the building or at street level? This matters for shops and walk-in offices.
Parking and deliveries
Very limited in Malé. Ask where staff and visitors can park and how deliveries reach the floor.
The commercial lease
The Residential Tenancies Act does not cover offices, so most of your protection comes from the lease itself. Make sure it covers:
- Term and renewal: commercial leases are often two to five years. Agree renewal rights and how the rent will be set at renewal.
- Rent and currency: if in USD, can you pay in MVR and at what rate? Is there a fixed annual increase?
- Deposit and advance: commercial landlords often ask for several months. Negotiate, and state when the deposit is returned.
- Rent-free fit-out period: ask for one or two months free while you fit out the office.
- Fit-out and reinstatement: what you may change, and whether you must return the space to its original state.
- Service charges: what they cover and how they can change.
- Repairs: structure and building systems with the landlord; interior with the tenant.
- Use and licences: confirm the space can legally be used for your business and that the landlord will sign any forms needed for your trade licence.
- Break clause: the right to leave early with notice, useful for growing businesses.
- Sub-letting: whether you can share space with another company.
Many points from our residential rental agreement checklist apply here too. For a large lease, ask a lawyer to review it.
Budget for the real cost
Rent is only part of it. Plan for:
- Deposit and advance rent, often three to six months together.
- Fit-out: partitions, flooring, lighting, data cabling and furniture.
- Electricity, water and internet.
- Service charges and cleaning.
- Insurance for contents and liability.
How to negotiate a better deal
Commercial landlords in Malé often have more room to move than their asking rent suggests, particularly for spaces that have been empty for a few months. Useful levers include:
- A longer term. Offering three years instead of one gives the landlord security, and is worth asking for a lower rent or a fixed rent for the first two years.
- Fewer months up front. Cash flow matters to a growing business. Propose two months' deposit instead of six, perhaps with a company guarantee.
- Works by the landlord. Ask the owner to repaint, replace old air conditioners or fix the lift before you move in, rather than taking on the cost yourself.
- Evidence. Bring a list of comparable spaces and their price per square foot. Landlords respond to numbers.
Shared offices and serviced space
If you only need a few desks, a shared or serviced office can be cheaper than leasing a whole unit. You avoid fit-out costs and long leases, and some providers include internet, reception and meeting rooms. Check the notice period and whether the address can be used for company registration.
Checklist before signing
- Measured usable area and price per square foot compared with at least three options.
- Lift, power capacity, backup generator and fibre confirmed.
- Air conditioners tested and maintenance responsibility agreed.
- Permitted use and licence requirements confirmed.
- Rent, currency, increases, deposit and advance agreed in writing.
- Rent-free fit-out period and reinstatement terms agreed.
- Renewal and break clauses agreed.
- Owner's identity and ownership verified, and payments made to an account in the owner's or company's name.
Fake listings are not limited to flats. Read seven warning signs of a property scam before paying a deposit.
Own an office or shop to let?
You can list commercial space for free on Maldives Investments. Include the floor area, floor level, lift, power and parking, and clear photos of the empty space. For businesses thinking of buying rather than renting, browse properties for sale and try the loan calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does office space cost in Malé?
Asking rents vary widely. As a guide, a 1,000 sq ft office in a central Malé building is listed on our site at USD 1,800 a month, roughly USD 1.80 per square foot. Older buildings and upper floors without lifts are cheaper; new towers on main roads cost more.
Are commercial rents in Malé quoted in dollars?
Many are, especially for larger or premium offices, while smaller units are often quoted in rufiyaa. Agree the currency and exchange rate in the lease.
Is Hulhumalé cheaper than Malé for offices?
Often yes, and newer buildings there offer more space and parking. The trade-off is distance from ministries, banks and clients in Malé.
Does the Residential Tenancies Act cover offices?
No. The Act covers residential lettings. Commercial leases depend mainly on the contract, so the written lease matters even more.
