How Often Should You Clean An Office Space?
10 Minute Read
Read article
10 Things To Look For In An Office In London
For anyone thinking about renting an office space in London, there are plenty of different aspects to consider. Some of these are relatively obvious, while some may slip the mind of the primary occupant. In this post, we share 10 different things to look for in an office space in London!
1. Access
Most business owners and senior staff will need access to the office at any given time. It's not uncommon for something to be accidentally left in the space, or for a priority order to suddenly be placed. Due to this, renting an office with 24/7 availability could be key to keeping daily operations running smoothly. It can also go a long way in giving people peace of mind. This is typically not a problem with larger offices, where the hold building is rented to a single business, however, it's definitely something to enquire about for single rooms.
2. Utilities
Like with renting anything in life, knowing what is included with the monthly payments is important. In rare instances, the landlord may expect you to pay for electricity or similar utilities. This is often featured on the listing itself. When using sub800, however, offices that include lightning and other necessities in the quoted price will be shown exclusively.
3. Security
Security should be put in place to protect employees and company property that is left in the building overnight. Offices that can be locked are a standard thing to check for, with CCTV cameras covering all potential entry points to the premises also being a good idea. An alarm system should be available to set whenever it is needed, alongside a smoke detector, that is required in order to comply with the law.
4. Serviced
Having a serviced offer means that everything is kept clean. A dirty work environment can deter potential clients, while also offering an unpleasant experience to anyone working in the office throughout the day. With a serviced building, cleaners come in on a regular basis, meaning there is no need to hire an additional member of staff. Furthermore, the team of cleaners will often visit the property at an off-peak time, such as early in the morning or over the weekend, to avoid any disturbance.
5. Capacity
Anyone that has searched for an office will notice that each space is listed by size, not the total number of employees that can occupy the premises. This is done to keep things simple, while also allowing the renter to determine how much room is needed per person. With this being said, the minimum space per employee is 11 cubic metres, according to the official UK government website.
6. Location
The location of the offices can affect the business as a whole, with various things to keep in mind when picking a location. Some things to consider include:
- Are there sufficient public transport routes for employees?
- Is the location close to other buildings that are owned/rented by the business?
- Does the premises have private car parking, or is there sufficient room for cars to be left outside?
- How close are local outlets, such as shops and restaurants?
- Is the office in a place that can be easily found by potential clients?
7. Furnishings
Having an office that is fully furnished can help to cut costs. Spaces offered by sub800 come with all of the required components so that work can begin immediately. This includes chairs, desks, lamps, bins, and the expected lighting fixtures. Not only that, but the design of the office itself is easy on the eye, which can contribute towards a positive working environment.
8. Internet Capabilities
In addition to having the required furniture, it's highly likely that internet access will also be needed for work to commence. Leaving this to the last minute can cause downtime, or at least lead to some inconveniences during the move, so sorting it well in advance is recommended. Of course, if a certain internet speed is required, the capabilities of surrounding providers will also need to be checked.
9. Freedom To Change The Space
Customizing an office space can come with a handful of advantages, but some landlords are strict and will only allow for minimal changes to be made. This can lead to surroundings that aren't tailored to meet the requirements of personnel and the business itself. Looking for an office space that allows complete flexibility in this regard can allow for the likes of paintings, furniture upgrades, and branding aspects to all be included within the property.
10. Moving In
Finally, once every other aspect of the office has been evaluated, it's time to look at the protocol for moving in. Most business owners will opt for a space that can be moved into immediately, which is especially the case in London, due to the high demand for such properties. All of the legal documents should be available to sign after the tenancy has been agreed upon, with access being granted shortly after.
Of course, moving into the office may be a process that takes time, but gaining entry into the space can allow any minor renovations to be made in advance. This can include small finishing touches, such as the addition of any plants or equipment that needs to be placed on the desk(s).
Conclusion
While these are not the only things to look for in an office space in London, they are certainly a good starting point. Sub800 can help to make this experience as straightforward as possible, with our website only listing offices that meet a large variety of the aforementioned criteria. We can provide you with fully serviced office spaces that are secure and available 24/7 in a variety of locations throughout London.
All of our listings also come with a 360-degree virtual tour that can offer an instant look into the space itself. Feel free to browse through our extensive directory of available offices or get in touch with a friendly member of the sub800 team with any questions!
