What to Check Before Signing an Office Lease

Jul 20, 2026 · Mike Thakur

The office looks great. You've worked out where the desks will go and somebody has already claimed the one by the window.

Then the agreement arrives.

This is the part where I would slow down. A space can be right for your business while the obligations attached to it are a poor fit, and the time to discover that is before you've arranged the move.

Start with the total cost, the length of the commitment and what happens if your plans change. The attractive floor plan can wait five minutes.

Ask for the complete cost

The advertised rent might include some operating expenses, or those expenses might be charged separately. Commercial agreements use different structures, so don't assume every quote works the same way.

Ask for a written breakdown of rent, any common-area or operating charges, utilities, internet, cleaning, parking and planned increases. Then ask about the one-time costs of making the space usable: furniture, wiring, fit-out and the move itself.

Compare the complete picture with a serviced-office quote. A lower headline rate and a lower monthly outlay are not necessarily the same thing.

This small-business leasing checklist is a useful starting point for the questions to take to your advisers.

Work out how long you're comfortable being committed

How predictable is your headcount? What would happen if a major client left, your team grew or you changed how often people came in?

Read the actual term, renewal process and notice requirements. Ask about expansion, early exit, assignment or subletting, and get the agreed answers in writing.

Flexible workspace still comes with an agreement. Month-to-month does not mean you can ignore notice periods, and a larger office isn't automatically waiting next door when you need it.

Understand any personal guarantee

If an agreement asks for a personal guarantee, have your attorney explain exactly what you're taking on, for how long and under what conditions. The wording matters.

Don't assume every traditional lease requires the same guarantee, or that a flexible office never requires a retainer or other security.

This is one of those questions that feels awkward for a moment and becomes much more awkward if you leave it unanswered.

Check what has to happen before move-in

Who supplies the furniture? Who arranges the internet? Is the intended business use allowed? What approvals or work are needed before you can actually operate there?

Confirm responsibilities, timing and costs with the people responsible for them. An empty room with a signed agreement isn't quite the same thing as a working office.

This is where a furnished, serviced space can make a practical difference. You're comparing the amount of work involved as well as the space itself.

Choose the arrangement that fits the business

A traditional lease can make sense when you need control over a dedicated site, particular facilities or a long-term layout. A flexible private office can suit a team that values furnished space, shared amenities and less day-to-day building administration.

At WorkLodge, ask for a quote that confirms your office, term, setup fee, any service retainer and meeting-room allowance. Office options accommodate individuals and teams of 1–40, subject to availability.

Come see the space, then compare the actual agreements with your advisers. The goal is to make a decision you understand, not to win an argument about which type of office is best.