Advertiser FAQs

Why should I consider letting my spare desks?
What does it cost to advertise my spare desks?
How does the bidding work?
Why should I bid to promote my spare desks?
How do I change or cancel my bid?
How long will my advert appear on the site?
How much should I charge for my spare desk?
What should I include with my spare desk?
Should I make deskers aware of my office policies?
Am I allowed to let my spare desks?

Why should I consider letting my spare desks?

There are three main reasons that companies have given us for letting spare desks:

  • Increase revenues / monetise unused space. Letting your spare desks can be a valuable source of additional revenue for large and small companies alike, particularly during a recession.
  • Reduce waste / eco-friendly. There's a strong sustainability angle to utilising wasted space which sits well with many companies' environmental aims.
  • Office diversity / creativity. Small businesses in particular are often attracted by the idea of additional bodies in the office, to create that all-important office buzz and also (if you're lucky) to add complementary freelance skills.

What does it cost to advertise my spare desks?

You can advertise your spare desks and shared office space completely free of charge. If you want to promote your advert, then you can choose to bid to promote your listing higher in the search results from as little as £1/week.

It's very simple really - if you want your advert to appear higher in the listings and be seen by more people then place a bid. You will be given an estimate of how much you need to bid to be in various positions for various location searches. You can modify your advert copy or cancel the service at any time. If your advert slips down the listing due to a competing advertiser, you can increase your bid.

You can bid however much you like to achieve your desired level of exposure in the search results. The idea is that advertisers in competitive local markets (e.g. central London) have a way of boosting their listings up the results.

Bids are made on a per week basis (e.g. £10/week). We always take payment up-front, and then payment will be taken on a weekly basis until you cancel the advert or change your bid (both of which you can do at any time).

Why should I bid to promote my spare desks?

The more you bid, the higher up search results your advert will appear. Adverts higher up the search results will be viewed by more people and are likely to generate more enquiries. So if you've got lots of spare desks to let, or you need to let desks quickly, then it might be in your interest to get your advert to the top of the search results.

Another advantage of bidding even a minimal amount is that your advert won't expire until you say so. Free adverts will expire after 14 days unless manually renewed.

How do I change or cancel my bid?

You can change or cancel your bid at any time by logging in to manage your adverts.

You can increase your weekly bid (for example, to promote your advert ahead of competitors) at any time. If you want to decrease your bid or even set your advert to free-of-charge, then you can do so at any time but the change will take effect only after any credits have expired (so you still get the benefit of what you have already paid for).

How long will my advert appear on the site?

If you choose  to advertise free-of-charge, then your advert will be set to expire after 14 days. Your advert will automatically be renewed every time you  login and don't cancel your advert. Furthermore, we'll send you a couple of emails to alert you in case any adverts are about to  expire.

If you are bidding £1/week or more, then your advert won't expire until you choose to cance your bid.

How much should I charge for my spare desk?

According to our data in February 2010, the average charge for desk rental is £348/mth in London and £205/mth for the rest of the UK. Obviously there's a big variety in there, so start by checking your local area to see what other people are charging, but also what they're offering for that money. If you're letting a spare desk, you might find it simpler to 'roll in' bills such as utilities and broadband which would be difficult to split out.

What should I include with my spare desk?

You'll need to make it absolutely clear to a desker what is included in your offering. Remember that most people looking for a desk are trying to avoid the hassle of renting an office, so try and keep everything as simple and straightforward as possible.

You should consider including the following in your basic price:

  • Desk (obviously!)
  • Office chair (make it a nice one)
  • Lockable pedestal
  • Internet access (wired, WiFi or both)
  • Tea & coffee facilities

You might want to include:

  • Parking space (if possible)
  • Use of meeting room facilities

Not usually included:

  • Telephone line. Often it's too complicated to get a desker on the company telephone system, so either specify that it's mobile phone and Skype, or allow the desker to get their own line installed at their own expense
  • Printing. Probably simpler to ask them to bring their own printer
  • Computer, or any kind of IT setup or support
  • Insurance cover

Should I have a written agreement with my deskers?

Obviously, yes you should. Your written agreement should contain, as a minimum, the following information:

  • The cost and what it includes
  • Start date
  • How you expect them to make payment (e.g. on the first day of every month by standing order)
  • The terms of any deposit
  • Termination and notice periods
  • Insurance requirements (e.g. they need their own contents insurance)

Should I make deskers aware of my office policies?

Yes, life will be a lot smoother if you indoctrinate your deskers into your office policies right from the start. Best too to have these policies written down. You may wish to consider putting together an information pack containing your policies and procedures on the following:

  • Health and safety
  • First aid
  • Clean and tidy office
  • Waste and recycling
  • Office security
  • Visitors, children, etc.

Am I allowed to let my spare desks?

If you're not the owner of the office space, you'll certainly need to consult your landlord to check that they're okay with the idea. Sub-letting is often specifically excluded in commercial leases, so you may need to work on the idea of a "desk licence" agreement with your deskers to make sure they're not granted rights which could be seen as contravening your lease. Consult your solicitor if you're not sure.

Make sure you read our guide to lease issues for desk rental.