--- title: "Serviced Offices in London: Areas, Costs and Contracts Compared" description: "Looking for a serviced office in a specific part of London? How serviced, private and leased offices differ, what a desk typically costs, and what to expect by area." canonical: "https://coworkingview.com/en/insights/serviced-offices-in-london-areas-costs-and-contracts-compared" --- # Serviced Offices in London: Areas, Costs and Contracts Compared Looking for a serviced office in a specific part of London? How serviced, private and leased offices differ, what a desk typically costs, and what to expect by area. A serviced office in London is a private, furnished office that you rent on a licence from an operator, with rent, rates, utilities, internet and cleaning bundled into one monthly fee. Terms are typically short, so it suits teams that want a central address without a long lease. You can [browse serviced offices in London](/en/coworking/london/private-offices) on CoworkingView, where we list 105 buildings with private offices, and we charge tenants no commission. ## Serviced office vs private office vs leased office The three terms overlap, and the difference is mostly legal and financial. A **serviced office** is the operator's own term for a private office that comes furnished and managed. In practice it is the same product as a **private office** inside a coworking or flexible-workspace building: a lockable room for your team only, with shared reception, meeting rooms and kitchens. When people search for "private office space in London", this is usually what they mean. A **leased office** is different. You sign a lease, which gives you a legal interest in the property for a fixed term, usually several years. You then arrange and pay for rates, service charge, utilities, fit-out and insurance separately, and legal and agent fees are common at the start. The key point for serviced space is that you normally sign a **licence**, not a lease. A licence gives you permission to use the space for an agreed period, but not a property interest or security of tenure. That is what makes it quick to start and quick to leave, and it is also why you should have a solicitor read the agreement before you sign. ## What is included, and what is not Most London operators bundle the following into the monthly fee: - Rent, building service charge and, usually, business rates - Heating, power, water and cleaning - Internet and Wi-Fi - Furniture, reception and mail handling - Access to shared lounges, kitchens and phone booths Typical extras to check in writing: - **Meeting rooms:** often a monthly credit, then hourly charges - **Printing, lockers and parking** - **Additional desks** beyond the number in your quote - **VAT:** operators frequently quote prices excluding VAT, so the real monthly cost can be higher - **Deposit:** commonly the equivalent of two to three months' fees, returned when you leave if you meet the conditions Business rates deserve a specific question. Rates are normally folded into the all-inclusive fee, so you do not receive a separate bill from the council, but this varies by building and by occupier size. Ask the operator to confirm it in the agreement. ## Costs per desk: ranges, not quotes Prices depend on the building, the quality of the fit-out and how many desks you take. Treat the figures below as market ranges from published sources, not as offers. - A 2025/26 London research report from a UK office-search agency puts the **average central London serviced desk at about £626 per month**, down from £649 the year before. For Greater London the average is about £326. - The same agency's Q4 2025 data, reported by Property Investor Today in October 2025, gives a **London-wide average of £534 per desk per month** for a private office. Among the more expensive districts it lists Soho at £895, Monument at £859 and Oxford Circus at £742. - Wider guides describe entry-level London desks at roughly £180 to £500 a month, mid-market at £500 to £800, and premium West End or City addresses from £800 upwards. These sources measure different things (central versus all of London, averages versus guides), so do not add them together. A sensible planning range for a central London private office is roughly £530 to £900 per desk per month, with Soho at the top. For prices on current listings, see our [London price index](/en/tools/price-index/london). ## Areas: where to look The building counts below come from our own London listings at the time of writing. Availability and prices change, so confirm them on each listing. **Soho.** Our [Soho page](/en/coworking/london/soho) lists two buildings. It is a central address at West End prices. **Shoreditch.** The [Shoreditch page](/en/coworking/london/shoreditch) lists five spaces. It is the main tech and start-up district, with converted warehouses and a strong flexible-office supply. **Covent Garden.** We list two buildings here. It suits teams that want a central location with good transport links. **Hammersmith.** Three buildings are listed. West London is a practical choice if your team or clients are based on that side of the city. **Vauxhall.** The [Vauxhall page](/en/coworking/london/vauxhall) lists two spaces. It is among the cheaper options on the south bank, with fast connections to the West End. **Tower Hill.** We do not currently list a building under Tower Hill itself. The nearest listing is in Whitechapel, close to Tower Hill station. For the wider City and east side, use the [London hub](/en/coworking/london) to filter by area. ## Contract and notice periods Serviced terms are short compared with a lease. Many operators offer three, six or twelve months, and notice is often one to three months. Three details cause most problems: 1. **Auto-renewal.** If you miss the notice window, many contracts renew for another full term. 2. **Notice mechanics.** Check whether notice must be in writing and by when. 3. **Reciprocity.** Confirm the operator owes you the same notice it requires from you, and what happens to your price at renewal. ## How to choose 1. **Count desks honestly.** Offices are priced by capacity, and moving up a size mid-term can be difficult. 2. **Ask for the all-in price,** including VAT, rates and any compulsory services. 3. **Visit at your working hours.** Noise, lifts and meeting-room availability matter more than the lobby. 4. **Check the commute** for the people who will actually use the space, not only the address. If you want to compare options, start with [serviced offices in London](/en/coworking/london/private-offices) and narrow by area. We are independent and commission-free for tenants, so the price you see is the price the operator quotes. ## FAQ **What is the difference between a serviced office and a private office?** In practice, very little. "Serviced office" is the traditional term for a furnished, managed office; "private office" is the term used in coworking buildings. Both usually come on a licence with an all-inclusive monthly fee. **Is a serviced office a lease or a licence?** Usually a licence. It gives you permission to use the space but no property interest or security of tenure, which is why terms and notice periods are short. Have a solicitor review the agreement. **Are business rates included in the price?** Typically yes, as part of the all-inclusive fee, but not in every building. Ask the operator to confirm it in writing, together with whether the quoted price excludes VAT. **How much does a serviced office cost per desk in central London?** Published 2025 sources put averages at roughly £530 to £630 per desk per month for central London, with Soho above £890 in one data set. Entry-level space can be cheaper and premium addresses higher. **How long does it take to move into a serviced office?** Often days or a few weeks, as the space is already furnished and connected. The time is mostly spent on the agreement, ID checks and any deposit. Source: https://coworkingview.com/en/insights/serviced-offices-in-london-areas-costs-and-contracts-compared