2nd July 2026
Finding a new office is exciting. It often marks a new chapter for your business—whether you’re growing your team, relocating to a better location or moving away from the constraints of a traditional lease.
But with so many flexible workspace providers now operating across London, choosing the right one isn’t always straightforward.
The market continues to grow rapidly. According to CBRE’s UK Flex Market Update, demand for flexible workspace remains strong as businesses continue to embrace hybrid working and seek greater flexibility from their office space. At the same time, the CIPD reports that hybrid working has become a permanent feature of working life for many UK organisations, changing what businesses expect from their workspace.
With more choice than ever before, it’s worth looking beyond the glossy brochure.
Here are ten questions every business should ask before signing for flexible office space.
1. Who actually owns the building?
This might be the most important question you never thought to ask.
Many flexible workspace providers lease their buildings or operate them on behalf of landlords. Others own the buildings they manage.
At first glance, that may not seem important.
In reality, it can affect everything from pricing and maintenance to how quickly problems are resolved.
If the heating stops working or a lift breaks down, who makes the decision? Does the workspace operator have the authority to act immediately, or do they need approval from a landlord or managing agent?
Understanding who owns the building gives you a much clearer picture of how your office will be managed.
Ask: Who owns the building, and who is responsible for making decisions when something needs fixing?
2. What’s included in the monthly fee?
A competitive monthly price doesn’t always tell the whole story.
Before signing an agreement, ask for a clear breakdown of exactly what’s included.
Check whether your monthly fee covers:
- Business rates
- Utilities
- High-speed internet
- Furniture
- Cleaning
- Reception services
- Meeting room use
- Kitchen facilities
- Printing and other additional services
The more transparent your provider is from the beginning, the fewer surprises you’ll encounter later.
3. How are renewal prices calculated?
Moving offices is disruptive.
Most businesses want to stay put for several years, so understanding what happens at renewal is just as important as understanding your first year’s costs.
Ask how rental increases are calculated and whether there’s a consistent approach to renewals.
A provider that values long-term relationships should be able to explain their pricing clearly and openly.
4. How quickly are maintenance issues resolved?
Every building experiences maintenance issues from time to time.
The difference isn’t whether something goes wrong.
It’s how quickly it gets put right.
Ask who reports maintenance issues, who authorises repairs and whether there is an on-site management team with the authority to act quickly.
You’ll learn a lot about a provider simply by asking how they deal with problems.
5. Can your office grow with your business?
The beauty of flexible workspace is exactly that—flexibility.
As your business changes, your office should be able to change with it.
Ask whether you can:
- move into a larger office
- reduce your space if circumstances change
- add extra desks
- access larger meeting rooms when needed
A workspace that supports your growth can save you another office move in a year’s time.
6. Spend five minutes talking to the people
When viewing an office, most people focus on the furniture, décor and facilities.
Spend a few minutes talking to the people instead.
Chat to the centre manager.
Speak to reception.
Observe how they interact with existing customers.
Are they welcoming?
Do they know people by name?
Do they seem genuinely interested in helping?
You’ll probably deal with these people every week. The salesperson who showed you around may disappear as soon as you’ve signed the agreement.
Good people make good workspaces.
7. Will your team actually enjoy working here?
Research consistently shows that the quality of the workplace matters.
According to the Orega Business Leaders Survey, the factors businesses value most when choosing office space include staff wellbeing, the quality of the workspace, cost, location and reliable IT infrastructure. Interestingly, prestigious addresses and networking opportunities rank much lower.
As you walk around, ask yourself:
- Is there plenty of natural light?
- Are there quiet spaces for focused work?
- Are meeting rooms easy to access?
- Is it somewhere people will genuinely enjoy spending time?
The best offices aren’t always the ones with the longest list of amenities.
They’re the ones where people enjoy doing their best work.
8. Are you paying for things you’ll never use?
Not every business needs rooftop terraces, beer taps, podcast studios or wellness suites.
For some organisations they’re valuable.
For many SMEs, they’re simply built into the monthly cost.
Think carefully about what your business actually needs.
Professional meeting rooms?
Reliable internet?
A welcoming reception?
Responsive management?
Or amenities you’ll rarely use?
Choosing value over unnecessary extras doesn’t mean compromising on quality—it means paying for the things that genuinely help your business succeed.
9. What do existing customers say?
Online reviews are a good place to start, but they only tell part of the story.
Ask the provider:
- How long do customers typically stay?
- Can they share customer testimonials?
- Do they have long-standing occupiers?
Businesses rarely stay in a workspace for years unless they’re receiving consistently good service.
Long-term relationships often say more than marketing brochures ever can.
10. Can you imagine your business being here in five years?
This isn’t simply about office space.
It’s about choosing a place where your business can grow.
Somewhere you’ll recruit new employees.
Welcome clients.
Celebrate milestones.
Support your team.
The best workspace should feel like somewhere you can build your future—not somewhere you’ll be looking to leave next year.
If you can picture your business thriving there in five years’ time, you’re probably asking the right questions.
The right workspace should give you confidence that your team will be well supported, your costs will be transparent and any problems will be dealt with quickly and professionally.
At Lenta, we actively encourage prospective customers to ask difficult questions because we believe an informed decision is always the best decision.
If you’re currently comparing flexible office space in London, why not explore our London locations, learn more about Lenta and see why our approach is a little different. You might also find our guide to moving into your new office useful if you’re planning a relocation.
Whether you choose Lenta or another provider, taking the time to ask these ten questions will help you find a workspace that genuinely supports your business for years to come.