The advantages of a private office over a traditional commercial lease
For a business, choosing its premises is a strategic decision. For decades, the 3/6/9 commercial lease has been the norm. This lease agreement, governed by the Commercial Code, commits the tenant for a minimum term of three years, with the option to renew every three years for up to nine years. It offers a degree of legal stability but comes with significant financial and administrative constraints.
In the face of these constraints, an alternative is gaining ground: the private office in a flexible workspace. This model offers a closed-off office, dedicated to the company, but integrated into a shared professional space where services and facilities are included in the rent. Between contractual flexibility, reduced hidden costs and time savings, there are many arguments in favour of the private office.
The 3/6/9 commercial lease: a financial commitment often underestimated
A commercial lease is not just about the monthly rent. Ancillary costs account for a significant portion of a company’s property budget. Upon signing, the tenant must pay a security deposit equivalent to 1 to 6 months’ rent excluding tax, depending on the terms negotiated with the landlord. In practice, most landlords require a minimum of 3 months (source: LegalPlace, Commercial Lease Security Deposit).
For start-ups or those with recent financial statements, landlords frequently impose an additional first-demand guarantee (GAPD), generally amounting to 3 to 6 months’ rent held in escrow with a bank. Added to this are letting fees, charged by estate agents at between 15% and 30% of the annual rent excluding VAT.
As the premises are usually handed over unfurnished, fitting-out work adds to the cost: between €400 and €1,000 per m² to make the space operational. For a 200 m² office, the total initial investment can thus reach €180,000 before work has even begun.
The private office: contractual flexibility tailored to today’s realities
The main advantage of the private office lies in the flexibility of its contract. Unlike the 3/6/9 lease, which requires a minimum three-year commitment, renting a private office in a flexible workspace is based on monthly or quarterly contracts, which can be terminated at short notice.
This flexibility is particularly valuable for businesses in the growth phase. A start-up growing from 3 to 10 employees in a year, a consultant occasionally hosting external staff, or an SME wishing to test a local market before establishing a permanent presence: these are all situations where the flexible private office adapts without penalty.
The time taken to set up is another key advantage. Whereas fitting out premises under a commercial lease generally takes 6 to 18 months—covering the search for the property, negotiations, refurbishment and moving in—a private office is up and running in a matter of days. The offices are already furnished, equipped and connected.
Professional services included, with no additional management
In a standard commercial lease, the tenant bears almost all operating costs: electricity, heating, maintenance of communal areas, insurance, council tax (depending on the terms), internet connection, supplies and cleaning. Each item of expenditure requires a contract, administrative follow-up and a dedicated budget.
The private office includes all these services in a single, predictable fee.
The professional benefits from a ready-to-use space that generally includes: fibre broadband, access to meeting rooms, a professional printer, a fully equipped break area, cleaning, mail handling and sometimes even a business address.
This ‘all-inclusive’ model offers a significant accounting advantage: a single monthly invoice, easily allocated, with no surprise year-end adjustments to service charges. For an SME manager or a freelancer, this represents a considerable saving in administrative time.
A private space that ensures confidentiality
Unlike the open-plan layout of a traditional co-working space, a private office offers a closed, dedicated space. Telephone conversations, team meetings and data displayed on screens remain within a secure environment. This is a key factor for professions that handle sensitive information.
According to industry data, 78% of companies handling sensitive data (finance, healthcare, legal) prefer a private office to open-plan coworking. A private office allows you to retain the benefits of a shared space (services, community, facilities) whilst ensuring the security of communications and the peace and quiet required for certain activities.
A professional image within reach
The address and setting in which a company receives its clients and partners directly contribute to its image. In a commercial lease, the cost of well-located premises, with a well-maintained reception area and meeting spaces, can quickly become prohibitive.
A private office within a business centre offers this high-quality image without the need for a massive investment. The tenant benefits from a recognised business address, fully equipped meeting rooms to host clients, and a setting that inspires confidence. For freelancers and small businesses, this is a significant boost to credibility, particularly during initial business meetings.
In Bayeux, having a business address in the town centre, with direct access to meeting rooms and presentation facilities, allows you to project a professional and well-organised image, regardless of the company’s stage of development.
Why this trend is particularly relevant in Bayeux
The commercial property market in medium-sized towns in Calvados remains mixed. The supply of offices on commercial leases is often limited, the available space does not always meet the needs of small businesses, and landlords demand high security deposits. For a freelancer or a micro-business, finding suitable premises that are well-located and affordable can sometimes be a real struggle.
The private office addresses this issue precisely. In Bayeux, spaces such as Espace Triangle offer enclosed offices, available on a monthly basis, without a disproportionate security deposit and without a long-term commitment. Professionals benefit from a fully equipped workspace right in the town centre, close to the station and the main road links.
With its 27 daily rail services to Caen and direct connections to Paris, Bayeux offers excellent accessibility, which enhances the appeal of private offices for professionals working with regional or national clients.
Commercial lease vs private office: summary comparison
| Criteria | Commercial Lease 3/6/9 | Private Office |
| Commitment | 3 years minimum, renewable up to 9 years | Monthly or quarterly, with no long-term commitment |
| Security Deposit | 1 to 6 months’ rent excl. VAT + bank guarantee frequently required (first demand guarantee) | Generally 1 month’s deposit |
| Fit-out | £350 to £870/m² for a shell-and-core unit | No costs: fully furnished, equipped and connected office |
| Services Included | None (internet, cleaning, electricity and insurance are the tenant’s responsibility) | Everything included in the monthly fee |
| Move-in Time | 6 to 18 months (search, negotiation, works) | A few days |
| Scalability | Rigid, with penalties for early termination | Fully flexible, scaled up or down as needed |
The private office: a strategic choice for professionals in Calvados
Commercial leases remain a viable option for established businesses whose space requirements are stable and predictable over several years. However, for the majority of freelancers, start-ups, remote workers and growing SMEs, the private office offers a far better balance between professionalism, flexibility and budget control.
In Bayeux, Espace Triangle offers fully equipped private offices available on a monthly basis, right in the heart of the city. Meeting rooms, co-working space, fibre broadband: all the solutions you need to work in a professional environment without the constraints of a traditional lease.