Access Offices Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Serviced Office?

Serviced offices offer access to a fully furnished and equipped office space on a pay-as-you-use basis. They are run by dedicated office management companies, who are responsible for maintaining the facilities in line with the tenant's needs.

What is a Coworking Space?

Also known as a shared office, this type of office space typically features a mix of open plan space and private offices. Depending on the package offered, tenants choose from an allocated or first-come-first-served desk sharing workspace.

What is a Leased Office?

Also known as a conventional, leasehold or office space to rent, this is a more traditional form of office rental. Tenants sign a lease for a fixed amount of space and for a fixed amount of time. This can vary from 5 to 20 years. Office leases often include options to break the lease and vacate the space after a set period.

What is a Virtual Office?

Virtual offices offer their customers the ability to work remotely, however provide them with a range of business functions accessible online. Customers can rent virtual offices in desirable locations without needing to pay the typical rent for that location.

What's the Difference Between Renting Furnished and Unfurnished Offices?

Unfurnished offices are leased out as an empty space allowing the customer to equip them with the quantity, style and colour of furniture they want. Renting unfurnished may be a cheaper option for companies with 1 -20 employees where furniture can easily be rented. Furnished offices are leased with office furniture.

What's the Difference between Leasing & Renting Office Space?

Office leasing typically refers to a minimum one-year period but may also be offered in increments of two to five years or more. Office renting usually means renting for 30 days at a time.

How Much Office Space Do You Need?

Calculate the office space you need by multiplying the number of employees you have by 50 square feet per employee. This will be the most economical calculation of head count to office rental space needed. 100 square feet per employee is considered a generous allocation.

What are the hidden costs of renting an office?

There are seven important costs that need to be factored in to understand the true cost of renting an office. Some of these may be inclusive in the rental price, however you’ll need to check.

Business rates calculated by your city council and payable by the occupier of commercial premises.
Service charges paid to the office management company or building owner to cover the costs of maintaining communal areas and for the upkeep or repairs to the building.
Utility bills for heating, cooling, lighting, water and gas.
Internet and communications costs for broadband or phone lines.
Equipment rental or purchase of office furniture, photocopiers and computers.
Insurance cover for employer's liability.
Health & safety equipment including first aid kits and fire extinguishers.

What are business rates and how they applied to office space rentals?

Business rates (sometimes called commercial rates) are a tax applied to business properties. It pays for local authority services such as police, fire and waste management. Business rates are calculated annually and paid in ten equal instalments.

What Health & Safety Requirements need to be followed to rent a UK office?

There are 8 Health & Safety laws that require safeguarding measures to be put into place to protects staff, customers, and visitors to your office. Read www.hse.gov.uk/office

Are all Access Offices furnished?

Typically our offices are available unfurnished.

What office sizes can Access Offices offer?

We have a range of office spaces from 100 to 10,000 sq. ft catering for 1 to 200 employees.

Are Access Offices private or shared?

All our offices are private. Office tenants have shared access to communal areas including kitchens, toilets and where applicable meeting rooms and break out areas.

Do Access provide short term office space leases?

We have flexibility and can provide short term leases from 3 months rental or longer leases up to 3-5 years.

What are your Access Office opening / access times?

Our store opening hours are typically Monday – Friday 08.30 - 18.00, Saturday 08.30 - 17.00 and Sunday 10.00 - 16.00. Store staff are available during this time.

Extended hours’ access to your office can be offered Monday – Sunday 07.00 to 21.00

Entry is granted using your PIN code at the perimeter fence and office entrance.

Do I have to pay an administration fee to rent an Access Office?

A one-off legal fee of £270 is charged to draft the tenancy agreement for your Access Office.

Do I need to give you notice when I move out of my Access Office?

Yes, we require 2 months to move out of an Access Office.

What’s the process to move into my Access Office?

1) Documentation verification – When you visit the store we will check your details and completed paperwork.

2) Health, Safety & Security Demonstration – We’ll demonstrate gate and door entry and explain fire evacuation procedures

What documentation is needed to move into my Access Office?

1) Photo ID - Driving licence, passport, national or UK citizen card showing your name and picture.

2) Bank Account Details - A copy of the bank account for the business (not more than 3 months old).

3) First Payment – Your first payment must be made by credit or debit card – it cannot be cash or a personal cheque. We will set up your Direct Debit for all future payments.

4) Contents Insurance – we require a copy of your current insurance documentation

What’s the process to move out of my Access Office?

You can move out at any time during your payment period, you just need to give us 2 months’ notice to move out of an Access Office.

What’s standard services come with my Access Office?

Your Access Office comes with a professional reception team, mail handling, utilities, use of the business address, use of the communal kitchen and extended hours access.

What chargeable services can be added to my Access Office rental?

You can additional pay for self-storage, archive management, parking and meeting room rental.

I don’t want to commit to a long lease, what’s the shortest Access Office rental term?

Access Offices can provide short term contracts from 3 months, so you are not tied into a long lease.

Can the office renter design and layout the workspace the way they want?

Yes, the Access office is rented unfurnished so you can stamp your own style on it. When you leave you will need to hand back the office in the same condition and design as originally rented.

Do Access Offices offer 24/7 access?

Many of our office spaces offer 24/7 and others offer extended access from early morning to late in the evening.

Do Access Offices have meeting rooms?

Many of our larger offices sites do have meeting rooms and some also have breakout rooms.

How do I book a meeting room?

You can book your meeting room in person at our office reception or by e-mail. They can advise on availability and whether catering can be provided.