Can I rent office space directly from the landlord?
Yes. You don't need an agent to rent an office in the UK. Serviced and flexible operators take enquiries direct, and on a conventional lease you can deal with the landlord or its letting agent without hiring your own. In England and Wales, RICS members must recommend that a tenant without an adviser gets professional advice.
Last updated 8 October 2026.
| Serviced or flexible office | Conventional lease | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you deal with | The operator | The landlord, or the letting agent acting for the landlord |
| Typical agreement | Licence or membership, often monthly or a fixed term | Lease, usually several years |
| Agent's fee if one is involved | Usually paid by the operator, about 10% of the first 12 months [1][2] | Usually paid by the landlord, about 7.5% to 15% of the first year's rent [3] |
| Professional advice | Read the agreement carefully | The RICS code says a tenant without an adviser should be recommended to get professional advice [4][5] |
| Where to find them | Operators' websites, Spacebly | Agents' boards and listings, landlords' websites, Spacebly |
How to rent an office direct
Serviced and flexible offices. Operators take enquiries direct through their own websites, by phone and through Spacebly. Ask for the monthly price, what's included, the minimum term and the notice period.
Conventional leases. Many buildings are marketed by a letting agent who acts for the landlord. You can deal with that agent directly without hiring your own. They work for the landlord, not you, so get your own advice on the lease terms.
What to check before you sign
- The total monthly cost, and whether business rates, service charge, utilities and internet are included
- The minimum term, break clauses and notice period
- The deposit and when it's returned
- On a lease: repair obligations and what you must do when you leave (dilapidations)
- On a lease in England and Wales: ask for the RICS code's supplemental guide for occupiers
Renting direct on Spacebly
On Spacebly you search listed buildings with prices and enquire with the operator directly. Operators choose how to pay: list free and pay a 10% success fee only when a tenant signs, or pay a flat monthly subscription and keep 100% of every deal. Tenants never pay, and every tenant who signs gets Cashback by Spacebly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent office space directly from the landlord instead of via an agent?
Yes. You don't need an agent to rent an office in the UK. Serviced and flexible operators take enquiries direct, and on a conventional lease you can deal with the landlord or its letting agent without hiring your own. In England and Wales, RICS members must recommend that a tenant without an adviser gets professional advice.
Is it cheaper to rent an office direct?
Not automatically. On flexible office deals the operator, not the tenant, pays any broker, usually about 10% of the first year's fee. Going direct takes that fee out of the deal, which can give you room to negotiate, but the price is still the operator's to set.
Do I need a solicitor to rent an office direct?
For a conventional lease, yes, it's sensible. The RICS leasing code says a tenant without an adviser should be told about the code and recommended to get professional advice. For a short serviced office agreement, read the terms carefully, especially the notice period and what's included in the price.
Does the RICS leasing code apply to serviced offices?
The code covers lettings of business premises in England and Wales and doesn't apply to lettings of six months or less. Many serviced office agreements are licences rather than leases, so ask the operator whether the code applies to yours.
How do I find offices I can rent direct?
Search operators' own websites, contact the letting agent named on a building's board or listing, or use Spacebly, where you enquire with the operator directly and never pay.
What does Spacebly charge?
Operators choose how to pay: list free and pay a 10% success fee only when a tenant signs, or pay a flat monthly subscription and keep 100% of every deal. Tenants never pay, and every tenant who signs gets Cashback by Spacebly.
Sources
- IWG, Broker Policy. https://work.iwgplc.com/BrokerReferralTerms
- Fora (The Office Group), Broker Agreement Terms. https://www.foraspace.com/broker-agreement-terms
- MJM Property Consultants, "What fees do estate agents charge for selling or leasing commercial property?" (February 2025). https://www.mjmpropertyconsultants.co.uk/latest-news/what-fees-do-estate-agents-charge-for-selling-or-leasing-commercial-property/
- RICS, Code for leasing business premises, England and Wales, 1st edition (effective 1 September 2020). https://www.rics.org/content/dam/ricsglobal/documents/standards/February_2020_Code_For_Leasing_Business_Premises_England_And_Wales_1st_Edition.pdf
- CMS, "New RICS Code for leasing business premises" (12 February 2020). https://cms.law/en/gbr/legal-updates/New-RICS-Code-for-leasing-business-premises