What should I check before buying a tanning salon?

A tanning salon is a room full of equipment that wears out in a predictable way. That makes the machines, and the records kept on them, the best place to begin. A seller who has logged every lamp change and service call is telling you something about how the salon has been run. Gaps in the records are worth a direct question.

Beds, booths and spray-tan equipment

List every bed and booth with its age and make. Ask for lamp-hour counts, the date of each lamp change and the service history. Check how long each machine has left before it needs major work. For spray tanning, ask about the booth, the pumps and the solution supply. Have a technician look at the equipment if you can.

Lease, power and the space

Tanning beds draw a lot of power and need ventilation and plumbing in the right places. Ask whether the lease allows your use, how long it runs, and whether it can be assigned to you. A landlord who has to consent will want to see you first, so ask for that early. Your lawyer should read the lease before you rely on it.

Staff, bookings and client records

Find out who runs the front desk, who cleans between sessions and who knows the machines. Ask whether the booking system and client list pass to you and what the system costs to keep. Then ask the seller how client consent forms and records are kept.

Questions to take to a lawyer

• What rules apply to operating UV equipment and what a buyer takes on.
• What client consent and age-related requirements apply to the business.
• Whether any past complaints or incidents could follow the salon to you.

The salon and spa buyer checklist covers the parts that tanning shares with other personal-care businesses.