How do I choose an office for rent?Let’s consider private rooms (for 1 to 10 people), soundproofing, cost, etc.

• Update:2023/11/14

Many sole proprietors and would-be entrepreneurs are thinking of using a serviced office.The low cost compared to regular serviced offices makes it ideal especially for those who have just started a business and do not have enough funds.
However, there are a thousand different types of serviced offices.You may be wondering which one to choose.So, here are some tips on how to choose an office for rent.

What is a Serviced Office?

Serviced offices are offices that can be rented on a low budget, with lower initial costs (such as deposit and key money) and monthly rent compared to regular serviced offices.In addition, many of them are pre-equipped with desks, chairs, printers, and Internet access necessary for work, eliminating the need to purchase them in advance.No construction work is required as the office interior is well maintained.
Because of this low cost and convenience, the number of users has been rapidly increasing in recent years, especially among those who are considering starting their own businesses.

Purpose of using a serviced office

The purpose of using a serviced office varies from person to person.

• I want to have an office to keep costs down until my start-up business gets off the ground.
• I want to start work as soon as possible and need an office right away.
• I’m not comfortable putting my home address on my business card when I open a business.

These include.
If you have any of the above objectives in mind, then renting an office should be the best option for you.

Understand the features of each serviced office.

It is important to understand the features of each office in advance when using a serviced office.In recent years, the Internet has made it easy to find information on serviced offices and their services. For example

• Cost
• Location conditions
• Security
• Availability of telephone and receptionist support

and so on. Therefore, if you are thinking of using a serviced office, choose one that meets your needs based on the above characteristics.

How to choose a serviced office

While serviced offices offer many advantages over regular offices for rent, many people are unsure how to choose the right one.Therefore, we have listed nine points to keep in mind when choosing an office to rent.

1. Balance between cost and service

Today, there are many cost-reasonable serviced offices in Tokyo and other major metropolitan areas, with some renting for less than 40,000 yen per month.Therefore, not only initial costs but also running costs can be significantly reduced.

However, what is of concern here is the balance between service and service. Note that no matter how low the price is, if the quality of service is poor, you will regret it after signing the contract.

The biggest advantage of renting an office is that the facilities and the location are combined, but some serviced offices are inadequately equipped.In such cases, you may end up having to purchase or contract for the equipment yourself, and your monthly payment may end up being higher than you had expected.

Many now offer additional convenient services such as reception/meeting room rental services and telephone answering services.By understanding in advance what kind of services you need, and then selecting an office while checking whether the fees and services are commensurate, you can select an office that offers a good balance between cost and service.

2. Office space

The next important factor to check when checking out an office for rent is the size of the space.If it is too small, it will interfere with business operations, and if it is too wide, it will be useless.Therefore, it is important to understand what type of space is available and use this information to help you choose the right office space for your rental.

Basically, office space can be divided into three types, depending on the number of people using the space.

1-person type

This serviced office is recommended for one person.The space is roughly 1 tsubo (about 1.5 square meters), which is about the same size as a capsule hotel room.Since it is not very spacious, care must be taken in the placement of office equipment, etc.Of course, since it is for one person, it cannot accommodate visitors, and there is no place to keep an inventory of products.

Type for 2 to 5 persons

This type of serviced office is for a small group of 2 to 5 people.The size of the rooms is generally between 7 tsubo and 15 tsubo, which is more spacious than the one-person type.The advantage of this room is that it can accommodate 10 people alone, so there is plenty of room for luggage and office equipment. The size of the room can be used as you prefer depending on the number of people.

10 persons ~ Type

This type of serviced office is for a large group of 8 to 12 people.The standard size is approximately 15 tsubo, which is about the same size as an elementary school classroom.In these larger offices, large equipment such as a server room can be installed.

The office can be partitioned to provide a dedicated space for visitors, and large inventories of merchandise can be stored.This is also recommended if you want to work in a good work environment, as the office will be open even with a certain number of people.

3. Soundproofing or not

In renting an office, you must also be concerned about the degree of soundproofing.
If you can always hear the noise from the next room, you cannot concentrate on your work and your productivity will decrease.Soundproofing is important to facilitate work.

Also, if you can hear the sound of your neighbor, it means that our sound is also leaking into the neighbor.It could also be a security issue if information about a business partner is leaked next to them when they call.Especially if you may use the telephone for business purposes, check carefully to see if soundproofing is in place.

4. Booth type or fully private room?

While a typical serviced office is a private space, it can be divided into two patterns depending on how it is partitioned. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each.

【Booth type】

A “booth type” serviced office has a gap between the wall and the ceiling.The advantage is a sense of openness because the space is not completely partitioned, but on the other hand, there is a disadvantage that conversations and noises from outside can be heard because the upper part of the space is open.

If you are making calls that deal with personal information, etc., security issues may arise, so this is suitable for people in the business where such problems do not occur.

【Fully private room type】

The “fully private” type of serviced office is completely sealed with no gaps up to the ceiling.The top is sealed for excellent soundproofing.Another advantage is that each room has its own air-conditioning unit, so you can control the temperature by yourself.

On the other hand, rents are often set slightly higher than for booth types.However, given the risk of security problems, it is worth paying the higher rent.The advantage is that your concentration is not affected by the noise around you, so choose a balance between cost, productivity, and risk.

5. Availability time

One thing that is often overlooked when using a serviced office is the hours of use.While some offices are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, some offices have predetermined hours of use from _ hours to _ hours in order to collectively manage and preserve the security of companies using the same section of the serviced office.For example, it is not uncommon for a customer to say, “I signed a contract thinking I could use the service 24 hours a day, but in fact I could not use it during the late night hours…”.

This matter varies from management company to management company and office to office, so if you want to use the office early in the morning or late at night, be sure to check the hours of operation before signing a contract.In most cases, serviced offices that are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year have individual security controls, such as the distribution of individual card keys or security keys.

6. Security measures

Information leaks and the leakage of personal information are particularly alarming risks in this day and age.Not all information leaks and personal information leaks are caused by hacking on the Web.Unlocked office locks or eavesdropping on phone calls can also be a cause.Therefore, the availability of security measures is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a serviced office.

In particular, serviced offices are frequented by an unspecified number of people.Choose an office with solid security measures in place, including.

• Access control by dedicated card key
• Security patrols and security cameras to check for suspicious persons
• Locker with key for theft prevention

Other network security measures should also be kept in mind if you are actively working with the Internet.Take measures to protect yourself, such as installing commercial security tools.

7. Notice to vacate period

When you start your own business and use a serviced office as a sole proprietor, it is inconvenient if you cannot move out easily.Choose an office space that can be easily vacated or relocated, especially if your business has the potential for rapid growth.

Even if the monthly rent and initial costs are reasonable, if the notice period for moving out is long, it will be difficult to relocate the office, and you may miss the opportunity to expand your business because you cannot relocate.

If this is the case where you have been in business for a long time and have a stable operation, it is not that much of a problem, but if you are just starting out and the future of your business is uncertain, you should choose a place where the notice to vacate is as short as possible.

8. Whether or not there are renewal fees or restoration costs

Many serviced offices charge a renewal fee in addition to rent and security deposit, but sometimes the renewal fee is not included in the contract.Generally, it is equivalent to one month’s rent, but there are cases where unexpected renewal fees are charged, so those who wish to keep running costs as low as possible should choose an office with no renewal fees.

Otherwise, when you move out, you must follow the rules for restoring the property to its original condition and leave it in the clean condition it was in when you rented it.In most cases, a separate restoration fee is required, often amounting to several hundred thousand yen depending on the serviced office.To avoid regrets later, confirm the existence of restoration costs at the time of signing the contract.Also, if there are restoration costs, ask how much they cost on average.

9. Office Location

Location” is very important when choosing an office for rent. Clients are more likely to visit if the office is close to a station and easily accessible, and having an office in a prime location increases credibility.

In addition, it is important not only to be close to the station, but also to be able to walk smoothly and to be sure that the surrounding area is not unsafe. Furthermore, if there is a bank or post office open near the office, it will be convenient for urgent cash payments.

In particular, the major advantage of renting an office is that you can use an office in a good location at a lower cost than if you were to purchase a regular office, so you may first decide whether or not to rent based on whether the location is good or not.Once you have searched for a serviced office and found a property you are interested in, we recommend that you actually visit the site to see the access conditions and the surrounding environment.

If you keep the above points in mind when looking for a serviced office, you will be able to find the perfect place.

Tensho Office is the best choice for office rental!

If you are looking for an office in Tokyo, please consider Tensho Office.Tensho Office has serviced offices in prime locations in Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minato, Chiyoda, etc.) with the following features.

1. Low initial cost!

The initial cost is very reasonable: 50,000 yen (excluding tax) for a room for one person, 100,000 yen (excluding tax) for a room for two or more people, and only the first month’s rent. Furthermore, there is no broker’s fee, security deposit, key money, or security deposit required.

2. Corporate registration is possible

At Tensho Office, you can register a corporation just like a regular office. This makes it safe for those who are thinking of starting a business.

3. Full services

The use of meeting rooms (with time limits), internet, utilities, and full facilities (shredder, dedicated mailboxes, delivery boxes) are available. This reduces many running costs.

Tensho Office rents desks and chairs free of charge, which is very convenient when increasing or decreasing the number of staff.If you wish, our staff will bring it to your room.If you need other office furniture, you can bring it in yourself, so you can create an office environment that is more your own.

Multifunctional machines (copy and facsimile machines) are available in each office for shared use.
*If printed, a separate fee will be charged.

4. Soundproof

The Tensho office has soundproofing material in the partitions that separate each room.In summary.

1. Use of Conference Room
2. Use of the Internet
3. Use of full facilities (lounge, private mailboxes, delivery boxes, etc.)
4. Desk and chair rental
5. Utilities charge
6. Telephone line installed in the room
7. Cleaning of common areas (by Tensho Office employees, Monday through Friday)

This full range of services is available.
Overall, the office is very user-friendly in terms of cost performance and convenience. If you are interested, please contact us for more information.