Getting a good deal for your NYC office sublet is important, but is it really a good deal if you are plagued by restrictions that make little to no sense?
Subleasing an office space in someone else’s leased office is more common than one may think, and it is typically the most used office solution for small firms that need a physical office space.
Taking on such a large expense of a commercial lease may be a viable option for a large law firm, but for a small firm, it may not be a practical solution. Leasing a space is an investment that not only requires a time commitment, but a financial commitment as well and requires the big bucks. Where a large firm may be able to swing the expense of such a lease, a small firm may have a hard time meeting such costs.
Even if your NYC sublet office space is cheap at first, there may be unexpected occurrences that end up making it more expensive than what it should be to sublet the space.
Crazy rules may be set by NYC landlords and that is a problem for you.
Your own office space is just that: YOUR office space. Therefore, you get to make your own rules in how your organization functions. Even with shared office providers, you have common sense rules based on what is best for the industry and to maintain civility, but the majority of rules followed by your firm are those set in place by your firm, not someone else.
Law firms who sublet space are not in the business of renting office space. It’s not uncommon to have to deal with quirky rules set by the sublet landlord. Things we’ve seen, for example:
- You must have cherry wood furnishings purchased from Room and Board.
- The cost of paper is split between all lawyers whether you use the copy machine or not.
- You can use the conference room any time you want, unless your landlord’s firm needs it; then you’re on your own.
Quirky rules are annoying, but there may be something even worse…no rules. Rules are good to have to maintain order and when the rules are gone, it will become a problem for you. Your suitemates might be disruptive, annoying, or worse, hamper business practices for your firm. No rules may sound appealing in the beginning, but it will come back to haunt you.
