If you’ve started your own business and are currently working from home, the thought of moving into office space can be daunting. Luckily, in the past few years, an explosion in desk space rental has made things a whole lot easier.

With a traditional commercial property lease, companies are expected to sign up for three years or more and have responsibility for everything from admin and furniture to security and dilapidations. But with serviced and shared office schemes, small businesses, freelancers and start-ups can find premises with the flexibility they need.

Of course, the most important thing is location. There are now thousands of shared office schemes available across the UK and websites such as Office Genie make it easy to search for the right spot by postcode, town, tube station etc. It has leased properties too, so you can compare prices and amenities with traditional office lets. You’ll soon notice shared and serviced offices work out a little pricier per square foot, so you need to weigh up the pros and cons.

Serviced offices

Usually at the top end of the price range, these purpose built offices let you rent short term office space in London and the rest of the UK – normally month by month – while offering not only a desk and chair but a fully furnished and managed environment.
Amenities can include reception areas, post service, meeting rooms and even executive suites, alongside the usual light, heat, broadband, bathroom and kitchen facilities. All you do is turn up with your computer and pay an admin-free monthly cost.

Another real advantage of this type of office let for a start-up is space management. If you’re unsure of how the future will go, signing a long-term lease is risky. With a shared or serviced office, you pay for the space you need – which leaves your options open for expansion. If you only need a few desks now, and then a few more six months down the line, you have the flexibility to accommodate the change.

Shared offices

Much like serviced offices, shared offices offer many of the same advantages but tend to be sub-let by the company leasing the office, rather than a management company. This can mean they have slightly less amenities, but will be a bit cheaper while often offering quirkier, less sanitised office accommodation.

Another advantage of shared (as well as serviced) offices is the office ‘buzz’. Sharing with other small businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs can make for a great atmosphere, while also offering extra business opportunities – as well as social ones.

Most start-ups in shared and serviced offices tend to be in the creative sphere – whether its journalism, design, PR or programming. Not only can you find new business opportunities for your start-up, but also solutions to your own business problems.

Things to be wary of

Of course, some of the above ‘advantages’ you may see as quite the opposite. Losing control of everything from security to décor may fill you with dread, while not being able to choose your neighbours can be pretty daunting. After all, the space isn’t yours, as such.

Shared and serviced offices certainly aren’t for everyone, or every business. But they offer an interesting alternative for start-ups looking for hassle-free office space with less admin headaches and a very handy get-out clause.

About the author: Chris Marling writes on behalf of www.officegenie.co.uk, the UK’s first proper online marketplace for desk space and shared office space.