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Flexible Short-Term Office Space: What Is It And What Are The Benefits?

Frerik Bongers
Updated: November 27, 2024
Published: October 28, 2024
flexible short term office space

Remote or hybrid working has become quite popular in the last couple of years, especially after COVID-19. Short-term office spaces fit in with this trend, spaces that you can rent on a short-term basis. But what is a short-term office space exactly? And who uses this type of working solution? In this article, we cover these questions and more.

In this article, you will read:

What is a short-term office space?

A short-term office space is a flexible rental solution for professionals who need a private office for a limited period, for example, during projects or while travelling abroad. Rental periods range from one day to several days per week. Temporary office spaces are usually fully furnished and are equipped with essential facilities such as high-speed internet and ergonomic office desks. These offices are often part of coworking spaces where you can also find hot desks, dedicated desks and meeting rooms.

Short-term office vs. traditional office space

Short-term office spaces differ significantly from traditional leases. A short-term office space allows you to rent a fully furnished space for a day or a few days a week to suit your changing needs without the burden of a long-term commitment. 

Traditional leases, on the other hand, require long-term commitments over several years. They often come without furniture and facilities, so you must invest money in the setup. Good to know: these contracts should not be confused with longer-term office spaces.

In short, while a short-term space makes it easy to scale, traditional leases are less adaptable, making it difficult to increase or decrease space as needed. The table below shows more differences between the two concepts.

Short-term officeTraditional office
DurationFlexible (daily or weekly)Long-term (usually 1 to 5 years or more)
Upfront costsMinimal, often just a security deposit or noneHigh, security deposit, renovation costs, broker fees and more
FurnishingFully furnished, ready-to-useUnfurnished
ScalabilityEasy to scale up or down as neededHarder to scale; requires finding new tenants or office space
MaintenanceHandled by the space providerHandled by the tenant
FacilitiesPre-installed internet, printers, and other servicesRequires setup, IT installation often separate
Shared spacesOften includes access to shared meeting rooms, loungesNo access to shared spaces; must rent separately if needed

The difference between a short-term office and a traditional office.

Short-term offices have become increasingly popular in today’s dynamic business landscape. In the following paragraphs, we’ll explore four key reasons for this trend: scalability, affordability, convenience, and efficiency.

1. Scalable

Short-term office spaces are easily scalable to meet your business needs. This adaptability is particularly beneficial for startups and growing organisations that need to scale operations swiftly. If you need to downsize for any reason, that is also easy to arrange.

2. Affordable

A short-term office space is affordable: you only pay for what you use, without any unnecessary expenses. With flexible office leases, you’re not tied into (expensive) long-term commitments, allowing you to adapt as your business needs change.

3. Convenience

Most short-term offices are offered as turnkey solutions, eliminating the hassle of setting them up. You have access to essential facilities, such as high-speed internet and breakout areas, which you can use immediately. You can simply walk in and start working, saving you time and effort. These offices are also strategically located, often close to public transport links and key amenities. In short, they offer you the convenience you are looking for.

4. Efficient

Last but not least, short-term rentals provide an efficient solution to boost your business’ productivity. You have access to a ready-to-use office with all the equipment you require. It offers you and your employees a professional environment when working from home, a café or a hotel room isn’t an option.

Who uses a flexible short-term private office?

Once, only startups and freelancers used flexible office spaces. Today, several businesses are using them. Three main groups find them particularly beneficial: startups, business travellers, and remote workers. In the following sections, you’ll discover the benefits of short-term offices for these businesses.

1. Startups

Startups are looking for flexibility. They want to grow their business without the burden of a long lease. Short-term offices provide this and much more. Startups can scale up or down without upfront investments, so they can focus on growing instead of worrying about fixed costs or long-term commitments.

The benefits for startups

  • No long-term commitment: You only pay for the time you need it.
  • Cost-effective: You save on deposits and ongoing costs.
  • Effortless setup: Offices are fully furnished and equipped so that you can work immediately.

2. Business travellers

Business travellers are often on the road for work, for example, to meet clients or international team members. A good place to work is, therefore, a must. A short-term office space is a perfect solution to stay productive. You can simply rent a fully equipped office for one or more days and start working immediately without any further arrangements.

The benefits for business travellers

  • High-quality workspace: You can enjoy a fully equipped, professional and quiet office.
  • Team collaboration: You can meet with clients or collaborate with the team while you travel.
  • No long-term contract: You only rent the office for as long as you need it.

3. Remote workers

Remote workers perform their jobs from outside a traditional office setting, often from home or a café. These places can be subject to distractions, such as environmental noise. A short-term office is a flexible and professional solution for both situations. Not only to work more productively, but also to create a balance between personal and professional life.

The benefits for remote workers

  • Local professional workspaces: You have access to an office close to your home without commuting to a central office.
  • Work-life balance: You can escape home distractions and maintain separation between your personal and professional life.
  • Team connectivity: You can use video conferencing setups and meeting rooms for remote team collaboration or meeting up with your team physically.

What can you expect from short-term offices?

Temporary offices come as a turnkey solution. It literally means turning the key and starting to work. In practice, this term refers to the fact that the office is ready-to-use, fully furnished and comes with useful facilities. This concept is often referred to as ‘serviced office space’.

The facilities and amenities can vary depending on the location, but here is a list of the most common perks:

  • High-speed internet
  • Ergonomic furniture
  • Free printer services
  • Audio-visual equipment
  • Reception services
  • Mail services
  • Kitchen facilities
  • Secure access

How much does a short-term office space cost?

Each venue and its offer differ. This means that the cost of a short-term office space can vary widely, depending on factors such as room capacity, equipment, length of stay, location and on-site support. The average cost is between £150 (around €180) and £770 (around €923) per day, excluding VAT.

Are you interested in renting a flexible short-term office space? You may wonder if this is the right solution for your business needs. We are here to help you to make a decision. We’ve created a list of possible scenarios:

  • Fast-growing businesses: Your business is expanding rapidly, so you are looking for a flexible space that allows you to scale up as needed.
  • Temporary workers: You hire temporary staff and want to provide them with a professional working environment.
  • Launching a new project: You are starting a new project and want to kick off in a dedicated space to brainstorm ideas with the team.
  • Work location when travelling: You are travelling abroad for work and are looking for a temporary location for as long as you need it.
  • International team meeting: You are hosting a global team meeting in a central, professional setting that improves collaboration and communication.
  • Outgrown your fixed location: Your permanent office space can’t meet your needs, so you need a temporary space without a long-term lease.
  • Renovation: Your current office needs to be renovated, so you are looking for a temporary office space.
  • Professional location: You are going to meet with clients and are looking for a professional setting. Or you want to offer your remote workers a professional office.

How can I find a short-term office space near me?

You can find several temporary serviced offices worldwide. They are hard to find, but we’ve made a selection for you in London. If you need more information or are searching for another city, please contact us or schedule a meeting. We are happy to help you.

An example: Find a short-term office space in London

Numerous locations in London offer short-term offices. Take the following, for example:

Venture X White City
Venture X White City

Venture X White City

Fully furnished, ready-to-move-in workspaces with lightning-fast connectivity and ergonomic workstations. Venture X White City offers the latest in access IT security and much more.

Work.Life Liverpool Street
Work.Life Liverpool Street

Work.Life Liverpool Street

Work.Life Liverpool Street offers you a private, lockable office with desks, ergonomic chairs, and a whiteboard.

Citibase London Holborn
Citibase London Holborn

Citibase London Holborn

Citibase London Holborn offers stylishly designed breakout and communal areas, a private workspace and many more facilities.

X and Why The Kenrick
X and Why The Kenrick

X+Why The Kenrick

X+Why The Kenrick has private offices spread over three floors, each with kitchenettes, meeting rooms, phone booths, breakout space and office facilities.

Clockwise London Wood Green
Clockwise London Wood Green

Clockwise London Wood Green

Clockwise Wood Green is an impressive and modern serviced office with the facilities, functionality, community, and connectivity to help you reach your business ambitions.

The future of flexible short-term office spaces

More and more modern professionals are looking for a flexible solution to boost their business without being tied down by long-term commitments. Short-term offices fit this approach perfectly. These often fully equipped and ready-to-use temporary offices allow professionals to focus on their work from day one. With the ability to scale up or down as needed, they provide the agility to adapt to changing business needs. As more companies seek agility and efficiency, the number of short-term offices will continue to grow. We expect this to be a continuing trend over the next few years.

Are you looking for short-term office space in your preferred city? Wezoo is here to help. Contact us or schedule a meeting.

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Frerik Bongers
Making hard problems simple. I have no patience for complex solutions, so our customers shouldn’t either.
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