How to Rent Serviced Office Space in London

Finding flexible, serviced offices in London is not an easy task. There are so many options to choose from. It can take several months to find the right fit without the right help. An expert, who really knows the market will save you significant time, and money. 

At Knight Frank, our approach is to act as your ‘Partners in Property’, we’ll support you every step of the way, and  find you the perfect office space for your business.

Understanding your business needs

Every office search starts with understanding your business. What is driving the need for a new office? What are the challenges you are currently facing and what are the most important outcomes you are seeking to achieve? 

This exercise is very rarely a case of talking office specifics, it is more typically a case of understanding the business drivers and then translating these back into office space requirements.  

Defining your space requirements

When searching for serviced offices in London, you should consider what your needs are, which will depend on the current state of your business and how you see things progressing over the coming years. Businesses can experience huge growth periods in a very short time, which is why you should consider the next few years, rather than just the present moment. 

While you might only have a small team now, therefore not requiring much space or amenities, as your company grows, your needs will change. Choosing somewhere with added flexibility is key, especially if you want to avoid changing offices soon. 

From a talent recruitment and retention perspective your office is key to the health, happiness and ultimately productivity of your people. It needs to be a place that people want to visit and that provides somewhere to work and congregate that is preferable to the alternatives. 

It is also a key strategic device for promoting company culture and brand, both internally and externally. 

When it comes to office amenities, your business will likely have unique needs, which is why it's important to take stock of what's most important for you to be able to function at a high level. These are things you might not think of right away, so speak to your team and take note of what they think you should be looking for when it comes to serviced offices in London.

Identifying Your Budget

While having space to grow is key, as well as having access to many of the modern office amenities, of course price has also to be a core consideration. In an ideal world, we'd have access to anything and everything imaginable, but finding the balance between what's necessary and affordable is key. 

As part of this, you'll need to pay attention to what's included and what is not. Different office space providers will charge differently. A poor grasp of this can result in unwanted surprises and the overall price increasing beyond expectations. 

Choosing the right location 

Location is key when choosing an office space for rent in London, especially when it comes to the commute, but also when considering local amenities such as access to  bars, shops, and cafes.

Transport links and neighbourhood

Most companies will assess where their current staff live, to ensure that any office move does not detrimentally impact their commute times. A longer commute is rarely considered as a positive for current, or indeed prospective employees. Proximity to major transport hubs is a common feature of our client requirements.

The same principles of accessibility apply to clients. You’ll want to be located near to your core clients, or near to transport links that can quickly connect you to them. 

Irrespective of what office amenities you might have in the building, you will want to consider the locality and what further amenities are on offer. A vibrant location with plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and gyms will only complement the in-building facilities. This is important for attracting and retaining staff, and encouraging office attendance, as well as for providing attractive options for entertaining clients.

Features and facilities of the serviced office

Choosing a serviced office can come with many benefits, from on-site facilities to all the office amenities you could ask for. You may also be able to access faster-than-usual internet, which could improve productivity.

Available Amenities

Serviced offices in London often come with a lot of extras that come included with the monthly fee. Typical office amenities often include meeting rooms and a manned reception, which can be key if you wish to show clients that you have a strong reputation. While this might not seem too important, it could save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you're a smaller business that can't justify the additional cost of having a meeting room all to yourself. 

Technology and Infrastructure

When it comes to finding an office space for rent in London, watch out for what else is included as part of the monthly fee, particularly when it comes to the technology available. 

Small things, like access to a television in the meeting room or ethernet ports close to each workspace, can make a huge difference and result in a much better experience. If you have the chance, enquire about the wifi situation as a slow or unresilient connection could quickly sour your time there, especially considering that not all offices allow you to set up a dedicated internet line. Good internet is up there with the most important office amenities. 

Understanding the contract agreement

Finding the right office space for rent in London isn't a quick process, but it's important not to rush into signing once you've found somewhere that looks perfect. You should carefully read the contract agreement to ensure that you fully understand what's included and what your obligations are.

Terms and Conditions

Once you've completed your search for office space for rent in London and you've made your decision, make sure to read the terms and conditions. Keep an eye out for what office amenities are included and whether any additional fees are included on top of the monthly charge. You should also be sure about how long you're committing for, as well as any costs relating to leaving early.

Flexibility of the Contract

You should treat your search for flexible office space as a new hire. It’s an asset that brings value to your business – and one that you want to get right. Many serviced offices in London come with shorter contract agreements, so you won't need to commit for a fixed amount of time, which can be beneficial for growing businesses that may need to move in the future – a one or three-month notice period can be very useful.

Finding your perfect office space

We know that no two businesses are alike, which is why it’s important to find a serviced office space that works for you and your team. Whether you need superfast internet connectivity or you need to be located close to major transport links, we’re sure to have an office space that works for your business. 

You can get started on your journey by using Knight Frank to search for your ideal office space. We know that finding office space for rent in London isn’t always the easiest task, so we’ve done everything we can to make this as simple as possible. You can search by location or area, while you can also state how many people will be working in the office space, allowing you to easily filter the results and exclude those that would not be suitable for a company of your size. 

Search for a  serviced office with Knight Frank

You can start your flexible office space search now by browsing current listings, or jump straight to speaking to us. Using a broker to find the right office space is less about timing and more about finding the perfect fit. No matter your needs, we're here to help you find serviced offices in London that'll help your business thrive.