In 2019, an office lease was a signal. You had a team. A headquarters. A place to host investors and put logos on the wall. Today, it’s a liability—unless you negotiate it on your terms.
Most startups are remote-first, but not remote-only. The challenge isn’t whether to get a space. It’s how to get one that flexes with your team, your burn, and your culture.
So if you’re stepping back into the real estate conversation, here’s what actually matters now.
First, forget long-term leases. Anything beyond 24 months is a bet you don’t need to place. Even 12 can feel long if you’re pre-Series A. Flexibility isn’t a perk—it’s oxygen. Push for short terms with rolling extensions. Landlords know the market’s changed. Use it.
Next, avoid big footprints. You don’t need a desk per head. You need zones: quiet pods, breakout tables, one or two proper meeting rooms. Optimise for the way your team actually works when they’re in. If everyone’s on Zoom, don’t build a temple to in-person.
Then watch for hidden costs. Fit-outs, cleaning, fibre installs—they all creep. Ask for line-item breakdowns. Get the landlord to cover CapEx where you can. And read the break clause twice. It’s your exit plan.
Now think location. If the goal is culture, go central. Near transport. Near good coffee. If it’s heads-down work, consider the edge. Smaller buildings, fewer distractions, better rates.
And negotiate like it’s software, not real estate. Ask for service-level commitments: uptime on Wi-Fi, response time for fixes, terms on overage if usage spikes. If you’re dealing with a workspace provider, treat them like any other vendor. SLA, not just rent.
Finally, be clear internally. Why are you taking a space? What does “in-office” mean? Who decides when it’s used? Hybrid fails when expectations get vague.
The office isn’t dead. But the old lease model is. In a remote-first world, you don’t need space. You need optionality.
So negotiate for that. And walk away if it’s not on offer.
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