Private Office Guide
Private Office vs Leasing Your Own Office: Which Costs Less?
Compare the cash to start, the ongoing costs and how easy it is to leave, so you can see which one really suits your business.
★★★★★ Rated 4.7 from 50 Google reviewsThe Short Answer
It depends on your team size, how long you will stay and what you would spend on fit-out and furniture. At Main Office in Pagewood, private offices start from $640 a month excluding GST, with furniture, internet, electricity and cleaning included. You start with one month's rent as bond plus your first month, on monthly terms with no lock-in contracts and 30 days notice.
Is A Private Office Cheaper Than Leasing Your Own Office?
Compare the total cost, not just the rent. The rent is only one part of what a leased office costs you.
With a lease, you also budget for things like fit-out, furniture, outgoings and internet. With a private office, it is one monthly price with no hidden extras.
We take care of the rest so you can focus on your business. We have offices of all prices to suit your budget. See what a private office costs.
Have a budget? Come in for a tour or enquire.
Monthly Terms vs A Lease: What Actually Changes?
The big difference is how long you are committed and what you take on. Here is the plain version.
- A lease runs for a fixed term, which is the minimum time you stay. It can bring security, outgoings and make good at the end.
- Main Office offers a furnished private office on monthly terms, with no lock-in contracts and 30 days notice.
Searching "office licence vs lease"? As general information, the Real Estate Institute of NSW says a lease gives exclusive possession of a defined property, while a licence does not and suits shorter or more flexible arrangements.
General information, not legal advice. Sources: REINSW and the NSW Small Business Commissioner. Office leases differ, so read yours and ask a solicitor.
Cash To Start: Bond And First Month vs Lease Security And Fit-Out
This is where the two feel most different. One asks for a bond and a first month. The other can ask for a lot more before you open the door.
At Main Office you pay one month's rent as bond plus your first month's rent. There are no setup fees. The bond is a one-off payment you get back if the office has no damage, and you can move in the same day if you want to.
With a lease, get quotes for each of these so you can see your true number:
- Security, which can be a fixed amount or a number of months' rent, as a cash bond or bank guarantee.
- Fit-out, which is usually the tenant's cost.
- Furniture, IT and removalists.
- Advice from a solicitor or accountant.
Lease points from the NSW Small Business Commissioner on lease security and the costs of leasing, written mainly for retail leases.
Private Office vs Lease Side By Side
The main differences in one place. The lease column is general, so check it against the lease you have been offered.
| Factor | Main Office private office | Traditional lease | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agreement | Monthly terms, no lock-in contracts | Fixed term | How long you are committed |
| Notice to leave | 30 days notice | Depends on the lease | The exit clause |
| Cash to start | One month's rent as bond, plus first month | Security, plus your set-up costs | Your total, not just the bond |
| Fit-out and furniture | Included, move-in ready | Usually your cost | Quotes for both |
| Ongoing costs | One monthly price | Rent plus outgoings | An outgoings estimate |
| Internet, power, cleaning | Included | Often separate | Who arranges and pays |
| Reception and meeting rooms | Reception and meeting room access | Yours to set up | Where clients will meet you |
| Room to change size | Offices from around 5 m2 to 28 m2 in one building | Depends on the lease | Your plans for the team |
| When you leave | Bond back if there is no damage | Make good, if the lease requires it | The condition you must leave it in |
General information, not legal advice. We have offices of all prices to suit your budget: see the prices page.
Ongoing Costs: One Monthly Price vs Rent Plus Outgoings
Month to month, the question is how many bills you want to manage. One price is easier to plan around.
Outgoings On A Lease
These are the owner's costs of running the premises, typically passed on to the tenant. Rates, repairs and management fees are common examples.
One Price At Main Office
Your private office space includes furniture, internet, electricity, cleaning, reception and IT support, with more on what is included here.
More In The Building
Members get 24/7 access, meeting room access and 3 months complimentary at the Wellness Hub gym and sauna. Parking is on site.
Outgoings definition from the NSW Small Business Commissioner glossary.
What You Skip With A Private Office
Worried about being stuck with a long lease and a big fit-out bill? Here is how Main Office works instead.
No Fit-Out
Move-in ready
Furnished and connected. Move in the same day if you want to.
No Setup Fees
One month's rent as bond
Plus your first month. You get the bond back if the office has no damage.
No Guesswork
Free 1-3 day trial
Try it before you decide. Work from the space and meet the team.
Searching For An Office To Lease? What You Are Usually Signing
Many flexible offices are not offered on a lease at all. It is worth knowing which one you are looking at before you enquire.
If you searched for an office to lease and found a furnished room with a monthly price, you are likely looking at flexible terms instead. Ask what you are signing, how long it runs and how you leave.
At Main Office the answer is simple: a private office on monthly terms, with no lock-in contracts, 30 days notice and a bond of one month's rent. Have a team of 10 or more? Talk to us about what would fit.
When A Traditional Lease Still Makes Sense
A lease can be the right call for some businesses. It comes down to how long you will stay and how much you want to build.
- You are sure of your location for many years.
- You want a custom fit-out built around your business.
- You want a whole floor or your own shopfront.
If you want to stay flexible and keep your cash in the business, a private office usually suits better.
Already in a lease? Whether you can sublease, assign or negotiate your way out depends on your lease, so get legal advice first. Our guide to flexible terms explains what to look for next.
Compare Your Options
Still weighing it up? These guides go deeper, or you can simply come in and see the private offices for yourself.
What It Costs
How much a private office costs in Sydney, and what changes the price.
How Terms Work
Month-to-month agreements, notice and the clauses to check before you sign.
Other Workspace Options
How a serviced office compares with coworking and other ways to work.
Weighing Up A Lease? Talk To Us
Tell us your team size and start date, and we will come back with the offices available and your exact price.
- 41-51 Wentworth Avenue, Pagewood NSW 2035
- 1800 841 548
- Reception Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Contact Us
Private Office vs Lease FAQs
Is a private office cheaper than leasing an office?
It depends on your team size, how long you will stay and what you would spend on fit-out and furniture, so compare the total cost, not just the rent. Main Office private offices start from $640 a month excluding GST, with furniture, internet, electricity and cleaning included, and there is no fit-out to pay for.
What does it cost to start in a private office compared with a lease?
At Main Office you pay one month's rent as bond plus your first month's rent, with no setup fees, and the office is move-in ready. With a lease you budget for security, and usually fit-out, furniture, IT and advice as well. The bond at Main Office is a one-off payment you get back if the office has no damage.
What is the difference between a lease and a licence for an office?
As general information, the Real Estate Institute of NSW says a lease gives exclusive possession of a defined property for a set period, while a licence does not and suits shorter or more flexible arrangements. Main Office offers monthly terms with no lock-in contracts and 30 days notice. This is not legal advice, so ask a solicitor about any agreement you sign.
Are outgoings charged on a Main Office private office?
No. Main Office private offices are one monthly price, starting from $640 excluding GST, covering your furniture, internet, electricity, cleaning, reception and IT support. On a lease, outgoings are the owner's operating costs that are typically passed on to the tenant, on top of rent, so ask for an estimate before you sign one.
How much notice do I give to leave a private office?
Main Office private offices need 30 days notice, on monthly terms with no lock-in contracts. A lease works differently: the term is the fixed period agreed in the lease, so your way out depends on what that lease says. If you are comparing the two, read the exit clause closely and ask how the bond or security is returned.
What are the options for a team of 10?
Talk to us about what would fit. Main Office has private offices up to 28 m2 in one building, and the team can look at your headcount and how you work. If you want a whole floor or a custom fit-out, a lease is worth pricing up too. A free tour is an easy way to compare the two.
Can I get out of a commercial lease early and move to a private office?
It depends on your lease, so get legal advice about subleasing, assignment or negotiating an exit before you act. Once you know your date, Main Office can help you plan the move. Private offices are move-in ready, on monthly terms with 30 days notice, and you can move in the same day if you want to.
