If you are weighing up a serviced office for the first time, you will have questions. What is actually included? How do the terms compare to a normal lease? Can you make the space your own? Here are honest answers to the questions we hear most often at Landmark, so you know exactly what you are signing up for before you book a viewing.
What is a Landmark serviced office?
A serviced office is a furnished, fully equipped office space that is managed by Landmark rather than by you, the tenant. Our offices are rented on far more flexible terms than a traditional lease, and they come with the shared spaces, infrastructure, utilities and support staff already in place. Everything is brought together into one fixed monthly fee, which brings down the overall cost of running your office and takes away the surprise bills.
What is included in the rental cost?
Unlike a conventional lease, where you pay separately for utilities and fit-outs, our serviced offices work on an all-inclusive pricing model. Typical inclusions cover:
– Furniture: desks, chairs and storage units.
– Utilities: electricity, heating and water.
– Technology: high-speed broadband internet, with network management included.
– Facilities: use of communal kitchens, breakout areas and restrooms.
– On-site services: maintenance and facility management, a mail and parcel holding area, and daily cleaning.
How do the terms compare to a traditional leased office?
Our serviced offices offer significantly more flexibility than a traditional lease:
– Contract lengths: typically available from one to two years, depending on your needs.
– Room to change: ideal for startups, project-based teams, or businesses growing or downsizing quickly, because you can move to a bigger office during your licence term rather than waiting for it to end.
– A low deposit: security deposits are typically the equivalent of one month’s rental, which is much lower than the commercial deposits required on conventional leased offices or buildings.
Are meeting rooms and conference facilities included?
Basic facilities like the kitchens and breakout spaces are free to use. Dedicated meeting rooms are available to book at an additional cost, and those prices are discounted for existing tenants, so hosting a client meeting or a team day stays affordable.
Can I brand and customise the office space?
Yes, within sensible limits, and it depends on your requirements and what we agree together:
Everyday customisation: you are welcome to bring your own branding, such as window graphics, company wall logos and interior artwork. With prior consent you can also paint the interior walls in your brand colours. All we ask is that at the end of your licence term you return the room to its original state, or pay for us to do it for you.
Structural changes: bigger alterations, like removing walls or changing carpets, are usually restricted unless you commit to a longer-term contract and agree all of the work with Landmark beforehand.
What are the main benefits of choosing a serviced office with Landmark?
A quick move-in: offices are pre-networked and furnished with desks and chairs, so your team can start working immediately.
A friendly team: we are here to support your business, and we try to bring a sense of community to our sites by recognising events through the year, from Eid, Diwali, Easter, Halloween and Christmas to charity fundraising days.
No huge price hikes at renewal: we constantly manage our costs and look for savings wherever possible, so any price increases are kept to a minimum.
Zero maintenance hassle: Landmark handles property management, repairs, security, facility management and cleaning, so none of it lands on your team.
Networking opportunities: sharing a building with a diverse mix of companies creates a collaborative community, and often some useful business connections.
Are there any hidden costs to watch out for?
We aim to be completely transparent on cost, but there are some extras it is worth knowing about up front:
Pay-as-you-go services: meeting rooms, additional parking spaces, and extra IT server room space or bandwidth are charged separately. All of these charges are fully explained beforehand, so there are no surprises.
Business rates: depending on your licence terms, local business rates may or may not be bundled into your monthly fee. If Landmark is your only registered office, you may be eligible for Small Business Rates Relief, and we can give you guidance on applying for it with the council.
Help with customisation: there may be a charge if you would like our maintenance team to help customise your office, for example decorating, building flat-pack furniture, or fitting TVs to walls.
Still have questions?
The easiest way to get answers is to come and see a Landmark office for yourself and ask us in person. Book a viewing or call the team on 01908 533 259, and we will happily talk you through anything else you want to know, with no pressure and no hard sell.
