Offices to Rent in Gateshead: What’s Included and What Costs to Expect
Renting an office in Gateshead usually costs more than the rent listed. With a serviced office, most of the bills are bundled into a single monthly fee. With a traditional lease, you’ll also pay business rates, utilities, insurance and the cost of fitting the place out.
Those extras are easy to miss when you’re scrolling through offices to rent in Gateshead (especially if it’s your first proper office). So it’s worth knowing what to ask before you sign anything.
In this guide, we’ll look at:
- What a serviced office fee usually includes
- The extra costs that come with a traditional lease
- How the two options compare
- The upfront costs to budget for
- How a Gateshead location affects your costs
- What’s available at Metropolitan House
- Common questions about office costs
What does a serviced office fee usually include?
A serviced office fee usually covers your office, building operations, and the shared services around it. You turn up, plug in your laptop and start work. Packages vary, but most cover:
- A furnished private office
- Heating, lighting, electricity and broadband
- Cleaning and maintenance of the building
- A reception team to greet visitors and take in parcels
- Kitchens and other shared facilities
Some providers also include business rates, parking or meeting room time, while others add these on. It’s worth asking for the full list before you compare prices.
What extra costs come with a traditional office lease?
With a traditional lease, the rent covers the space, while many of the other costs are paid separately by the tenant.
Business rates are often the biggest extra. You pay them to the council, based on the property’s rateable value, although some small businesses qualify for relief. On top of that, most landlords add a service charge to cover shared areas such as the car park, lifts and security.
Then come the running costs. You’ll set up and pay for electricity, heating and water yourself. A new broadband line can take several weeks to install, which is a nasty surprise if you’ve already given notice on your old space. You’ll need your own contents and liability insurance too.
Many leases also make you responsible for internal repairs. When the lease ends, you may have to pay for dilapidations, which cover restoring the office to the condition you found it in. Leases tend to run for several years as well, so moving early if your team grows or shrinks can be tricky.
How do serviced and leased offices compare?
The main differences are who pays the bills and how long you’re tied in.
| Cost | Serviced office | Traditional lease |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | Included in one monthly fee | Paid separately, often quarterly |
| Business rates | Often included | Paid by the tenant |
| Utilities and broadband | Usually included | Set up and paid by the tenant |
| Furniture | Usually provided | Bought by the tenant |
| Service charge | Included | Often charged on top |
| Repairs | Handled by the provider | Often the tenant’s responsibility |
| Contract length | Flexible or short term | Often several years |
| End-of-term costs | Usually none | Dilapidations can apply |
What upfront costs should you budget for?
A serviced office usually needs a deposit and your first month’s fee. The desks, chairs, and internet are already in place, so you can often move in within days. Our post on how quickly you can move into a serviced office explains the process.
A new lease usually involves more upfront costs before you can move in. You’ll usually need a rent deposit and a solicitor to check the lease. Then there’s furniture, cabling, IT kit and probably a lick of paint. Our checklist for renting your first office covers what to look at before you commit.
Does a Gateshead location change the cost?
It can, mostly through the costs you don’t see on the invoice. In Newcastle city centre, staff and visitors often pay to park, and that adds up over a year. Someone usually ends up covering it, whether that’s the business or the drivers.
Metropolitan House sits about 500 metres from the A1 at Junction 72, right next to the Metrocentre. Newcastle city centre is a few miles up the road, and parking here is free. Our guide to office space in Gateshead covers the location in more detail.
What’s included at Metropolitan House?
At Metropolitan House, we have 40 serviced offices across three floors in Swalwell, Gateshead. They come in all shapes and sizes, and some have their own internal meeting room. Every office comes with:
- Free parking in our 100-plus space car park, covered by CCTV
- 24/7 access, 365 days a year, with a secure fob
- A staffed reception, Monday to Friday
- High-speed fibre broadband
- Kitchen facilities on every floor
Clients can also use our on-site gym and book the ground-floor boardroom, which seats 12 and has a 75-inch screen. Our terms are flexible, so you can take on more space as you grow, or step down to a virtual office if you need less. Have a look at our serviced offices, or call us on 0191 495 6161 to arrange a viewing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay business rates on a serviced office?
No, in most cases you won’t. The provider pays the business rates, and the cost is included in your monthly fee. Some providers do add rates to the invoice, though. Ask about this before you sign anything.
Can I rent an office in Gateshead for a short period?
Yes, serviced offices are usually available on short or rolling agreements. That suits businesses running a project, waiting for a new building or testing the area. At Metropolitan House, terms are flexible, so you’re not tied into a long lease.
What are dilapidations?
Dilapidations are the costs of restoring a leased office to its original condition at the end of the lease. They can include redecorating, removing partitions and repairing damage. Serviced offices rarely carry this cost.
Can I move to a bigger office as my business grows?
Yes, at Metropolitan House you can usually move into a bigger office in the same building. Your address stays the same, so there’s no need to update clients, suppliers or your website. Our post on signs you’ve outgrown your virtual office covers when it’s time to move.
How do I compare quotes for offices to rent in Gateshead?
Ask each provider for the full monthly cost, including rates, utilities, broadband and parking. Then add any upfront costs and the cost of leaving early.