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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

For answers to frequently asked questions please browse the links below. If you cannot find what you are looking for, or would prefer a personalised reply, please contact us by phone or email.

About Instant

Who is Instant?

Instant is the flexible office specialist, established in 1999 and now employing almost 100 staff, in offices in London, Miami and Sydney. Beginning as an online marketplace for SME’s to find serviced offices, Instant has now helped over 30,000 businesses of all sizes find and set up offices in over 100 countries worldwide. In the last 3 years, Instant has grown its turnover by 25% for each of the last 3 years, with profits being driven mainly by growth of the larger corporate client base.

Instant also operates Managed Offices for clients who need a bespoke work place for a limited time. There are currently over 250,000 sq ft under management for Instant clients in 21 Managed Offices, with Instant providing resources not only to search for the building and negotiate with landlords and solicitors, but also to fund the initial fit out and furniture, as well as providing on-going facilities management for the duration of the client’s stay. Clients come from a wide range of industry sectors, including publishing, financial services, construction firms and outsourcing; the first Managed Office in mainland Europe was set up in Berlin in September 2012, with more expected to follow.

Instant has extremely strong relationships with 99% of the serviced office operators around the world, and has partnerships with many international property agents enabling them to find the best solution for clients. Using their own proprietary data, Instant has published a number of research reports and is a regular sponsor of and contributor to high profile property events. Instant is a member of industry bodies BCA in the UK and GWA in the US, as well as Corenet globally.

To find out more about Instant, why not read our latest news and press coverage or about Instant's different divisions and employment opportunities.

What services do you provide?

At Instant, we find office solutions for businesses, whatever the size and location of your requirement. The offices on our website range from premium quality office space to more economical office solutions, and from one person offices to large open-plan floors, accommodating hundreds of people.

In addition to over 6750 locations we already advertise, we are constantly researching cities and new areas to help customers find effective office solutions. If you have not found offices that meet your needs on our website, we will be more than happy to undertake a search that is bespoke for your requirements in any location worldwide. Please contact us for details.

Instant’s global Online Brokerage Team is comprised of over 70 multilingual consultants, who are reactive to the 6000+ global enquiries we receive each month. Each with geographical areas of expertise, they are passionate about finding the perfect solution for every customer. Please read more about our Online Brokerage Team.

Offering more than 100 years combined experience of providing flexible office solutions, Instant is the only broker to have a dedicated Corporate Solutions team. They focus on the needs of large corporate clients to ensure greater portfolio flexibility, reduce risk and minimise capital outlay, with a dedicated point of contact for the client. The Corporate Solutions team can also offer Property Portfolio Management services.

The Managed Offices team provides tenants with tailored office environments anywhere in the world, without requiring long term commitments or up-front capital outlay. Instant leases, fits out and the runs the office for the tenant for the whole period of occupation, and also sorts out the dilapidations and legal issues after the tenant has left. This is all in return for a quarterly fee that is fixed for the contract. Having pioneered Managed Offices, Instant is now the market leader in the UK, with a rapidly growing global presence.

You can find out more about the services the Instant teams provide in our resource section.

What is Instant’s vision?

Instant is a passionate and ambitious company to work with. We want to become the first place any corporate company, public sector organisation and SME worldwide would come to for flexible office space. To achieve our ambitions for growth we are dedicated to creating the best work environment, which enables our people to grow, develop, fulfil their goals and enjoy being at Instant!

Information for occupiers

What types of office solutions do you advertise?

Instant markets most types of commercial property, such as virtual offices, serviced offices, shared offices, sublets, leased spaces, workshops and industrial units, as well as operating Managed Offices for our clients.

What are serviced offices?

Serviced offices are fully-furnished, plug-and-play offices typically used for stays of less than five years. They offer the perfect property solution for the short-term business needs of companies from all sectors, including government, oil and energy, legal, consultancy, banking and finance, retail, infrastructure, and IT and technology. Whilst many people think of serviced offices as being suitable for small companies only, in fact companies of all sizes, including medium-sized and large, global corporations, benefit from the flexibility offered by serviced offices. Most FTSE 250 companies have flexible offices in their property portfolios.

Whether you’re looking for a one-person office in Dubai, have a five-person requirement in Hong Kong, a 50-person need in New York, or a 500+ person requirement in London, serviced offices offer the perfect flexible property solution for many of your business needs.

What does the price cover?

The price typically includes rent, service charge, business rates (where applicable), secretarial support, cleaning, maintenance costs and utilities. In fact, the only possible charge you may have in addition is your IT and Telecoms charges.

What’s a typical length of term on serviced offices?

A typical initial term is between three and twelve months, although some companies value the flexible nature of serviced offices and the facilities on offer to such an extent that they decide to make it a more long-term arrangement. The ability to outsource the property management function under one fixed cost for the long-term is a major driver for longer leases in serviced offices. Depending on the strength of any particular market, it is sometimes possible to sign for terms of less than three months. Or even just on a daily rate for the purposes of hot-desking or meeting room space. Occupiers almost always have the option to renew the term on licence expiry.

What is a licence?

A licence is a legal document, used instead of a lease, when a client takes serviced office space. Although licences do not have the same level of security of tenure as leases, they give the tenant the right to occupy the space for a specified period of time, and are quick, inexpensive and ideal for terms of up to 12 months. Most licences are simple, two-sided documents. On one side, they detail the agreed price, the building’s location, the office’s position within the building, the term, IT and telephony arrangements, the invoicing details, general contact details, and any comments specific to the deal. On the other side, there are usually 30 to 40 items detailing the Terms and Conditions of that particular licence.

What is a workstation?

A workstation is the amount of space typically allocated to one person. Although this will vary from one Operator to another and country to country, the standard space for one workstation is approximately 75 sq ft / 7 sqm. A single workstation usually includes a desk, chair, pedestal, telephone and IT points.

Can I use the meeting rooms?

Yes, most Operators will offer meeting room usage as part of your overall package. If you require additional usage, it is possible to book meeting and boardroom space from as little as an hour at a time.

Do all the buildings have broadband?

It is standard that serviced offices offer broadband internet access, which is usually chargeable in addition to the monthly rent. Most Operators offer a variety of broadband packages, ranging from ultra high-end connections to more standard packages.

Do all the buildings offer IT support?

Serviced offices are generally laid-out and equipped so that technology issues are simple and straightforward to resolve with very little technical known-how. However, if you do require support, most Operators offer on-site help for the duration of your occupancy.

Do I need to bring a computer?

Although some computer equipment may be available to rent directly from the Operator, supply of the equipment you require cannot be guaranteed. Bringing your own equipment gives you the greatest flexibility to ensure you have the best technology match for your business.

How much do telephone calls cost?

This will vary, but Operators will usually offer a selection of packages to suit a wide range of companies, from those needing to make high volumes of national and/or international calls, to those making minimal use of telephony.

How much does it cost to use Instant?

Nothing! Whether you’re looking for serviced offices, conventional office space, shared offices, sublets, industrial units or workshops, our complete service and independent expert advice is absolutely FREE, so why not start your search for an office now!

Landlords and operators pay us for successfully finding them tenants, so we do not need to charge you for using our services. The fee we are paid will not be passed on to you. In fact, we guarantee you a better rate than anywhere else.

If a Managed Office with Instant is the right solution for you, we will provide a bespoke office in a location of your choice for a fixed fee that includes all the different elements that make up the package. Managed Offices are typically suitable for requirements of more than 100 people.

Why should I use Instant?

We are the leading advisor on flexible office space worldwide. Every year over 100,000 people use our services to find office space. We have over 80 employees based in our London, Sydney and Miami offices. Our 70+ specialist consultants are very experienced in the office space market, and can provide impartial expert advice on offices in their dedicated areas. We are a truly international company with five language versions of our website and an array of multilingual consultants, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese speakers.

How do I search for office space?

You can immediately start searching for an office, or you can follow our 3-step process below:

Step 1: Discuss your requirements.

Let us know where you want to be, how much space you need, and when you want to move by. You can either search online or talk to one of our experts on 1-866-918-4640. Either way your dedicated consultant will help you shortlist the right options quickly.

Step 2: View the properties.

We arrange the viewings for you. You can look at lots of options or just one. We’ll send you a map for all the properties we arrange for you to view, and we’ll talk to the building manager about your requirements beforehand so you get the most out of your visit. Our job is to make it as quick, easy, and convenient as possible for you.

Step 3: Negotiate a deal.

Once you have chosen the perfect office for your business, we’ll help you negotiate. Our consultants get the best deals in the market, which means you do too.

Are the prices on the website fixed?

The prices on our website provide a good indication of what you will pay, but do remember that the price will be affected by factors like the size of the office you need, your specific criteria and how long you can commit for. There is almost always room for some negotiation. Where pricing is not displayed, this will be at the landlord or operator’s discretion. To receive accurate pricing for your exact requirement, please call our local, specialist consultants on 1-866-918-4640.

Are the offices available immediately?

Yes, almost all of the properties we advertise are available for immediate occupancy. It is even possible to sign an agreement and move in on the same day in many instances.

Have your consultants visited the buildings you advertise?

All of our consultants have visited the majority of buildings in their market, so have first-hand experience of the buildings you might consider. In addition, every month we receive feedback from thousands of viewings. This feedback is captured and made available to our consultants, ensuring their knowledge is always up-to-date.

How up-to-date are your listings?

The listings on our website are updated on a daily basis, with new locations constantly added by our Content and Research teams. In addition, due to our regular and close contact with the landlords and operators who we market space for, we always promote the latest deals and special offers that are available. This enables you to make a well-informed decision whenever you search for office space with us.

How do we rate offices?

Our website enables users to rate offices they have viewed, or rate an office they are a tenant in. Users can submit reviews and give a rating, which is then displayed on our website.

Information for Landlords and Operators

Why should I advertise with Instant?

Instant has specialist, multilingual consultants across the globe, reactive to the c. 6000 enquiries we generate each month. Our consultants aim to respond to all enquiries within ten minutes, and they will liaise proactively between you and the customer to maximise every chance of converting each enquiry into a signed agreement.

Our online marketing includes substantial, multi-territory advertising campaigns, extensive search engine optimisation, and well-developed affiliate partner networks. By listing with Instant your office space is automatically syndicated onto hundreds of other websites. We also receive a large number of enquiries through our active relationships with the traditional real estate agencies, and with many multinational companies too.

Instant provides an excellent alternative, risk-free route to market that will significantly increase your exposure to potential tenants.

What types of commercial property will you advertise?

Instant markets most types of commercial property, including virtual offices, serviced offices, shared office solutions, conventional and leased office options, sublets, workshops and industrial units. The vast majority of our success is in letting units of up to 10,000 sq ft / 929 sqm, although we are happy to list properties of any size.

What do you charge for advertising properties?

Listing your office space on the Instant website is FREE. We only charge a fee if we successfully place a tenant in your building, which offers you a risk-free way to market your property. Our standard agreement is 10% of the first year’s inclusive rent - please read our Terms and Conditions.

How do I advertise with Instant?

It’s quick, free and easy to register with Instant and only takes 5 minutes! This will allow you to list as many properties as you like, wherever you want.

If you’d prefer to discuss your property with us first, please email Natalia Tarson or call on +44 (0)20 7298 0624.

How much should I charge for my office space?

Instant do not provide valuation services, but we do recommend searching our website to see what other landlords and operators are charging for similar solutions in your location. If you’d like to have an informal chat, please do get in touch.

Who do I speak to for more information on a tenant enquiry you have sent me?

Please call the Instant consultant whose details and photo are shown on the customer referral we have sent to you. We also encourage you to speak directly to the customer, updating the Instant consultant afterwards on your progress.

What happens if we get sent the same lead by two different companies?

Instant follow the ‘overturning’ policy that is now common practice in the flexible office industry. This means that if two brokers introduce the same lead, the first lead received will be the one that is accepted. If the second (later) broker then arranges a viewing that is attended, it is the landlord/operator’s responsibility to notify the first broker that the enquiry has been ‘overturned’ to the second broker who arranged a successful viewing. The second broker is then paid 100% of the commission if the enquiry results in a signed agreement. The first broker receives no fee.

What if I am an agent or realtor?

Instant regularly works alongside traditional agents and realtors, either on joint agency agreements or on a success-only fee basis. We are particularly strong on finding tenants for short-term sublets. If you would like Instant to work alongside you on a property that you’re marketing, please email Kirsten Dyer or call +44 207 298 0635.

How can I update my property listing?

You can login to your Operator Portal using your username and password. This information is shown at the bottom of every customer referral we send to you. If you have any problems logging in, or require additional assistance, please email Natalia Tarson or call +44 (0)20 7298 0624.

How can I see all the tenant enquiries you have sent me so far?

The ‘referral’ section of the Operator Portal allows you to view all of the enquiries we have sent to you, with additional filters to focus on specific time periods and different types of enquiries. This information can also be downloaded, so that you can take it to meetings, re-target recent enquiries, or circulate with your team.

What is a Premium Package?

The Instant Premium Package maximises your property’s exposure to boost enquiry levels, prospects and viewings. We only offer a limited number in each market.

The Premium Package ensures that your property will appear as one of the top two listings on the results page in your location with a ‘premium’ label. We will send you details of every customer looking for office space in your area – even if they don’t select your property. In addition, we will add an advertising banner for your property to every office report sent to customers looking in your location, and ensure that your property also appears as a featured office on our homepage. We will also send targeted email campaigns about your property to suitable customers, if you wish.

To receive a quote for your area, and to discuss further the benefits of a Premium Package, please email Carolyn Whelan or call +44 (0)20 7298 0620.


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