Renting an office in Switzerland: A guideline

In today's business world, it is no longer absolutely necessary for entrepreneurs to own a physical office. Many work from home. However, if your home is increasingly being taken over by business documents, renting office space could be a sensible option. But how do you find the right office that meets your needs? Here is a guide that simplifies the topic of renting office and commercial space.

Which type of office space is suitable for your company?

First, you should consider whether your company actually needs a separate office. One option could be a coworking space that offers flexible workspaces, Wi-Fi, printing services, and meeting rooms.

If you plan to hire employees or meet clients regularly, a professional office location might be more advantageous. This not only strengthens the professional image of your company but can also contribute to a better work-life balance. Often, an office is also a melting pot for ideas and collaboration. Communication channels are shorter, and services, products, or processes can be improved or offered faster and at a higher quality.

What should you look out for when renting office space?

The location is crucial. Check the availability of parking spaces and the proximity to public transport. Also consider how much space you need. A rule of thumb is about 10 to 20 square meters per person. Are you planning to expand your team?

Use our filter to determine the office size based on the number of people or workstations. This gives you a good indication of the minimum space required. In our filter, we assume a size of 10 square meters per employee / workstation, which helps to determine the minimum size of an office.

Further considerations should be: Do you need a separate conference room, storage facilities, and a kitchen? Many listings on maison.work show how many lockable rooms the property offers. This information can help, but often rooms can still be modified, or depending on the setup, there are collectively used meeting rooms (especially in coworking spaces and shared offices).

Lease duration

The typical minimum term for commercial space in Switzerland is six months. However, leases of 5 to 10 years are often offered. Even with such terms, an earlier termination of the lease can be built into the contract, for example after 1-2 years or annually. If you are looking for shorter rental periods, a coworking space or a shared office is a good alternative.

How much budget should you plan for an office in Switzerland?

Set a budget for the rental. In addition to the rent, you should also budget for the deposit, office furniture, legal review of the lease agreement, insurance, and additional costs. Renting furniture is also an option worth considering.

Net rent, payment on account for additional costs (net + additional costs = gross rent), internet / network, electricity / water

How to find and rent an office on maison.work

1- Use our filters to refine your search. Sometimes it also helps to just browse around and see what other office spaces might be suitable.

2- Once you have found some options, send an inquiry to start the conversation. Often, there are other configurations of the space that are not yet online.

3- Visit the shortlisted office spaces to get a feel for the room. If you don't get an answer, be persistent. After the first contact, an email address and phone number are also available in your profile.

4- Compare the offers critically. We recommend talking openly about your wishes and needs. Commercial leases are often long-term, which means you will use the space for months or years.

Negotiation and closing the contract: As soon as you have shortlisted a few options, it is important to compare the offers carefully. Pay attention to all the details in the lease agreement. Since commercial leases in Switzerland are often long-term commitments, you should ensure that the contract meets your requirements. If necessary, negotiate the rent, term, and conditions.

How do you negotiate a commercial lease for office space in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, the conditions for commercial leases are diverse.

Rental costs

Costs range from flat-rate rents to detailed contracts that cover maintenance and additional costs in addition to the rent. Clarify what is included in the rent and who pays for what.

Lease duration

Consider what contract duration makes sense for your company. There are flexible monthly notice periods, but also fixed-term contracts.

Further negotiation points

Ask about leasing incentives, such as rent-free months or support for renovations. Depending on your business type, a non-compete clause could also be important.

Closing and moving in

Once you have decided on an office and all negotiations have been completed, the contract is finalized. After signing the lease, you can start setting up your new office space. Use the opportunity to design and furnish the office according to your ideas to create a productive and pleasant working environment.

Further tips for your office search and renting

Use your network

It can be helpful to use your network to get recommendations or tips. Often, colleagues or business partners know of suitable spaces or have valuable experience.

Maintain flexibility

Ensure that your lease provides some flexibility to respond to changes in your company. This can be especially important if your company is growing or your needs change.

Legal advice

In more complex cases, it is advisable to seek legal advice, especially when it comes to the details of the lease. A lawyer can help identify pitfalls in the contract and protect your interests.

By following these steps and paying attention to important details, you can find and rent the right office that meets your company's needs and contributes to its growth and success.