Serviced offices
A furnished private office inside an operator's building, with shared reception, kitchens and meeting rooms. One monthly fee covers almost everything and you can often move in within days. Terms run from a few months to several years.
Managed offices
A self-contained space, often a whole floor, fitted out to your brief and run by an operator. Your own entrance and branding, one monthly invoice, typically 12 to 36 month terms. Published London data puts managed desks about 40% above serviced.
Traditional leases
A lease gives you a legal interest in the property, usually for several years. Rent, business rates, service charge, fit-out and furniture are paid separately, and you are responsible for returning the space in good condition at the end. It can be cheaper per square foot for larger, settled teams but needs far more money and time up front.
Licence or lease?
Most serviced and managed offices are let on a licence to occupy rather than a lease. A licence is a permission to use the space, without the legal interest in land or the renewal protections a business lease can carry. Courts look at the substance rather than the label, so read the terms carefully.
Which should you choose?
| Serviced | Managed | Leased | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical term | Months to years | 12 to 36 months | Several years |
| Move in | Days | Weeks | Months |
| Your own front door | No | Yes | Yes |
| Costs | One fee | One fee | Rent plus rates, service charge, fit-out |
| Best for | Speed and flexibility | Identity without a lease | Large, settled teams |
If you are unsure, tell us your team and timescale and we will show you the options side by side.