London is one of the most competitive office markets in the world. For tenants, that means endless choice, hidden pitfalls, and constant pressure to make the right move fast. Whether you’re a start-up looking for flexibility or a global business negotiating a long-term lease, knowing how the process really works gives you the edge.
Our team has answered thousands of tenant questions, from the basics of using a broker to the finer points of lease negotiations. We sat down with Tasha and Leo from our Tenant Rep team and distilled the essentials into a clear, no-nonsense guide; designed to save you time, protect your budget, and give you confidence in every decision.
Before You Start
What does an office broker do?
Tash: We become your personal real estate advisors. We do the heavy lifting by combining all of London’s market availability in one place and providing you with the best matches to your requirements.
How much does it cost to use a broker?
Leo: Typically, nothing for a serviced office deal. Usually, the provider pays us, so it's no charge to you. Whereas for a conventional long-term lease, the cost can fall on the tenant, but we will, of course, always try to get the fee from the landlord first.
What information do you need from me?
Tash: We typically need:
Headcount, current and projected
Start date
Budget is helpful but not essential
How long are you planning on staying in that space
Your preferred location, but we can help if you're not sure
Your preference in style, e.g. looking for an old warehouse, or a super modern building
Your internal approvals, who needs to oversee this process and sign it off
Your move-in needs, e.g. plug-and-play ready to go, or somewhere completely empty to make your own. We can always advise on this.
I’m not sure what type of office I need. Can you help?
Leo: Of course! We can jump on a call to understand the reasons and motivations behind you looking to move. Then we can advise you on the most suitable options, whilst making sure we cover the whole market, both traditional and serviced.
During the Search
How long does it take to find an office?
Tash: If you’re looking for something flexible and plug-and-play, we technically could get you in there the next day. However, if you're looking for something more bespoke, that requires a fitout, or there is a lot to negotiate, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
Do you arrange viewings?
Leo: Yes! Once we have found the suitable options, we use our market knowledge and contacts within the industry to arrange the viewings. We then plan a route around the buildings that suits you.
Do you only cover central London?
Tash: No. We have worked across the whole globe. We started assisting our enterprise customers in other countries, and now we are able to assist anyone, anywhere. When you come to us, you’ll be assigned a team member from our London office, who will then meet you in any country you’re looking to assist you in finding the perfect place.
What if I need to move quickly?
Leo: A comfortable amount of time to give yourself for a move is 6 to 8 weeks. However, we have in the past managed to find a space within a 5-day turnaround.
Negotiating & Signing
Do you negotiate lease terms?
Tash: Yes! Once we get the heads of terms, we can help negotiate rent, length of contract, break clauses, obligations (who’s in charge of what between you and the landlord), deposit, CapEx, and assignments/subletting.
What happens once I’ve chosen a space?
Leo: We will do negotiations, leveraging our relationship with the landlords/providers and market knowledge to ensure you get the best deal. We usually know what other tenants are paying, and the typical pricing for the area, giving us an advantage. Alongside this, we will always keep an eye on the market outside of your selection in case something else comes up.
We also have an in-house investment advisor and landlord team, who keep us up to date with London’s new developments, allowing us insight into what could come up in the future.
Are there any hidden costs I should know about?
Tash: On the flexible side, everything is usually included in one monthly price, apart from internal amenities such as bookable meeting rooms, alterations to the space, and additional tech.
For more traditional leases, typically, we focus on the rental figure, alongside rates and service charges. Then we will support you in any further costs, such as fit-out, etc.
After You Move In
Can you help if my needs change?
Leo: Even after you’ve moved in, we are always there to support you.
Do you offer ongoing advice?
Tash: Yes, we will do quarterly check-ins with our customer success director to make sure you’re still happy and support you with any future decisions.
If you're looking for your next office, let us help you. Reach out to Tasha or Leo, today.
