Renting an Office in London: 10 Things to Check

Finding an office often starts with a location and a monthly price. The decision also depends on how your team works, what the space includes and how long you are committing for.

Whether you are moving out of a home office or finding a new base for a growing business, these are the main things to consider when renting an office in London.

1. Start with how you will use the office

Write a short brief before browsing. How many people will attend at the same time? Will they need quiet desks, confidential calls, client meetings or space for equipment?

For a hybrid team, the busiest day matters more than total headcount. Consider your likely needs over the agreement period without paying for growth you have not planned.

If you are still choosing a workspace model, read our private office, serviced office and coworking guide.

2. Check the location for staff and clients

Look beyond the nearest station. Test the actual journey, including the walk to the building, changes and the cost of regular travel.

If clients visit, consider whether they can find the entrance easily and whether the journey suits them. Check step-free access, lifts, visitor arrangements and parking where relevant. An address that looks convenient on a map may work differently during your busiest hours.

3. Compare the full cost of renting an office

Ask for a written breakdown of the total payable. Confirm whether the advertised figure is for one desk, a private room or the entire suite.

Check:

• Regular costs: rent, any applicable VAT, utilities, internet, cleaning and service charges.

• Upfront payments: deposit, advance rent and any setup or furniture charges.

• Optional extras: meeting rooms, printing, parking, storage and additional access.

Also ask who pays business rates and whether they are included. GOV.UK explains that business rates apply to most non-domestic properties, including offices. Do not assume every workspace package handles them in the same way.

4. Understand the minimum term and notice period

A monthly price does not necessarily mean a one-month commitment.

Before agreeing, confirm the minimum term, payment schedule, notice deadline and renewal arrangements. Ask whether you can leave early, what conditions apply and whether charges could change during the agreement.

Check the deposit amount, who holds it, the return process and possible deductions. Compare the whole commitment rather than the first payment alone.

5. Confirm exactly which space you are renting

Make sure the photos, description and quote refer to the same office.

Ask for the room or suite reference, floor, advertised capacity and whether the space is exclusively yours. Establish which areas are shared and whether you can leave equipment securely overnight.

If a listing shows several rooms or an entire building, request images of the specific unit offered. This avoids comparing a private office with a desk in a shared space.

6. Test internet, calls and privacy

If video calls are part of your working day, check the connection inside the actual office. Ask whether internet is included, how it is provided and who handles problems.

Listen for conversations from neighbouring rooms and communal areas. Check whether phone booths or meeting rooms are available when you need them, and whether their use is limited or charged separately.

A quiet photograph cannot tell you how a room sounds during working hours.

7. Check furniture and shared facilities

Confirm what will be ready when you move in: desks, chairs, power sockets, storage and any equipment shown in the photos.

Look at the shared kitchen, toilets, waiting areas and meeting rooms. Ask how bookings, cleaning and maintenance work.

A furnished office can reduce setup work, but you still need to know which items belong to the package and whether you may change the layout.

8. Match access hours to your working pattern

Building opening hours, office access and staffed reception hours may differ.

Confirm when your team can enter, whether weekends or evenings are included, and how visitors gain access. Ask about keys or access cards, deliveries and the contact for access problems.

If early starts or late client meetings are routine, check those arrangements before committing. Also confirm whether you may use the address for business correspondence or registration if you need to.

9. Clarify condition, safety and responsibilities

Check ventilation, lighting, temperature, seating and available space. HSE’s workplace facilities guidance explains the working environment and welfare facilities employers must provide.

Ask who handles repairs, maintenance and faults, and what you must do when leaving. GOV.UK’s business tenant guidance explains that many responsibilities depend on the lease alongside legal duties.

Read the actual agreement offered. Obtain advice before accepting obligations you do not understand, particularly for a longer commercial lease.

10. View the office and get important details in writing

Where possible, visit during the hours you expect to work. Walk through a normal day: arriving, setting up, taking a call, meeting a visitor and using shared facilities.

Check the actual unit rather than relying on a representative room. If an in-person viewing is impractical, request a live video walkthrough.

Before committing, keep written confirmation of the space, total charges, start date, included facilities and agreement terms.

Find an office that fits your business

VenCome brings together office listings for individuals and teams. Use the office-space listings to compare options, then check each space against your working brief, budget and required commitment.

Frequently asked questions

What should I ask before renting an office?

Start with the total payable, exact space, minimum term, notice period, included facilities, access hours and deposit arrangements. Then check the details specific to your work.

Are bills included in serviced office rent?

Packages vary. Ask for written confirmation of utilities, internet, cleaning, business rates, meeting-room use and any applicable VAT.

Can I rent an office on a monthly basis?

Some providers offer monthly arrangements; others advertise a monthly price within a longer contract. Confirm the minimum commitment and notice provisions.