At conferences, talks and hackathons we’ve often shared the lessons we’ve learned through renting desks and serviced office spaces over the last few years.

The other day I realised we haven’t published a blog post covering the list of our top 5 traps to avoid when seeking to rent a desk or serviced office. 

We hope the list helps you find somewhere that scores high in all 4 Coworking Ratings, whilst saving you or your team time, hair and money!

1) Contract Length, and automatic rollovers

Starting up a business needs flexibility. Whether you’re just consulting clients or rapidly building a team and product simultaneously, you need to be able to grow (and shrink) as rapidly as possible. Don’t get caught in “X-month contracts” that “automatically renew”, locking you down for another X-months.

Be very clear about this when getting prices or offers, make sure you get the exit options, process and requirements in writing ahead of time.

2) Paying extra for internet

What is this, 1999!? If you’re being charged extra for internet, you’re probably being ripped off. We have heard of people paying for “premium internet” in some serviced offices and coworking spaces, but if there isn’t some form of internet included at all, it waves a giant red flag.

We don’t even let spaces who don’t offer free internet (or coffee for that matter) onto our platform!

3) Limits and surcharges

Normally these are put in there to protect themselves against abuse- it’s always good to know what limits exist, how they’re tracked and what you’d be expected to pay if you surpassed them.

A good example would be that bringing in your own printer, paper and ink could be cheaper than paying for “extra prints”, if that’s what you need for your business process.

4) No Value-Add

Desk spaces and offices are sprouting up all over the world with over 1,600 coworking spaces in Europe alone, at last count. This is why it’s very important to find out exactly what you’re getting for your money. Keep asking “what else is included?” with regards to actually helping you grow your business.

For example, there are 778 spaces who are starting to offer enhanced connectivity by being Desk-Hosting Partners.

5) Exit-fees

This is by far the most infuriating element that previously almost burnt many of our team, and thousands of businesses around the world. Although similar to number 1, it’s so sneaky we added it in a it’s own trap category. Some companies hide fees like “continuation of business expenses”, “office restoration fees” even though you’ve paid deposit and then still have the cheek to charge a non-negotiable “deposit clearing fee”.

So make sure that you clarify that when you’re done you’re done. NONE of our hosts use these underhanded tactics, and if you spot one that does, report them for expulsion from our network.

But wait… you work with desk-providers, so why should we listen to you?

We’re in this game to help entrepreneurs get a leg up, not tie them to cash-haemorrhaging contracts.

So whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, part of startup or work/run a coworking space who want to rid the world of these traps, join us.

Got a question or spotted an issue, send us a Tweet or Message us on Facebook.