Ideal and Unsuitable Industries for Shared Offices: Unpacking Licensing Requirements for Businesses!
In this article, we'll explore the types of businesses that are well-suited for rental offices and those that may not be the best fit. Additionally, we will explain the use of rental offices for industries requiring permits and approvals during establishment, and what you need to be aware of.
Table of Contents
- Ranking of Industries Well-Suited for Rental Offices
- Some Industries are Unsuitable for Rental Offices?
- Can Rental Offices Be Used for Industries Which Need Licensing Requirements?
- Improtant Notice When Staffing Agencies Utilize Rental Offices
Ranking of Industries Well-Suited for Rental Offices
Sales-Driven Companies（Real Estate, Advertising Agencies, Manufacturers, etc.）
Businesses primarily focused on sales, involving frequent outings and limited time spent in the office, are the best candidates for using rental offices.
By selecting a rental office that matches the number of people who will be using it, you can generally reduce initial and monthly operating costs compared to leasing a traditional office.
Additionally, the expense of hiring secretarial staff can be cut by opting for rental offices that offer mail receiving and telephone answering services.
Since many rental offices are located in buildings near train stations, you can efficiently conduct your sales activities, especially if you frequently travel by train. Furthermore, utilizing a rental office that provides access to multiple facilities under the same brand can save on transportation costs, offering significant advantages.
Individual professionals (lawyers, tax accountants, accountants, etc.)
When establishing a professional business as an individual, having a dedicated office is essential. After meeting the specific requirements, which vary depending on the category of business, you must apply for registration with the "(Prefectural) XX Bar Association" in the area where you will open your business, and provide your office address, telephone number, and photograph.
Furthermore, ensuring independence to maintain confidentiality is also crucial. When searching for an office to rent that meets these requirements, you should be prepared to cover initial costs ranging from tens of thousands to millions of yen.
If you aim to minimize costs as much as possible, you may consider starting your business in a apartment or from your home. However, this approach may potentially result in lower trust levels among clients and the parties involved.
Choosing rental offices with great locations and services can potentially lead to benefits such as enhanced customer attraction and credibility, all while meeting legal requirements.
Requirements vary by region, so please consult with our agent for more information.
IT-related Businesses
For IT-related businesses, especially for those who come to the office infrequent, the use of rental office is recommended.
If you are using high-spec equipment that consumes a significant amount of electricity, such as for software development by one person, having a suitable working environment with adequate electrical capacity and networking is another advantage of using a rental office.
For more detailed information on the features, advantages, and disadvantages of renting an office, please refer to this article.
Some Industries are Unsuitable for Rental Offices?
In fact, there are some industries are not suited for using rental offices.
- Retail and Manufacturing Business
- Warehousing Business
and other businesses that sell goods in person, manufacture products using equipment, or need to manage large amounts of inventory are not suited for using rental offices.
However, even in this type of business, depending on the use and purpose, such as when you are considering using the space only for clerical work, there may be advantages to using a rental office. Please contact us for more details in this matter as well.
Can Rental Offices Be Used for Industries Which Need Licensing Requirements?
Straight to the point, even in industries that require licenses and permits, you may still be able to use a rental office.
However, be sure to check in advance if you are in a special industries! If licenses and permits are not obtained after the usage agreement, there is not only the risk of incurring additional costs but also the possibility of facing business suspension or criminal penalties for continuing operations.
Examples of industries that require a licenses or permits
- Real Estate Agency
- Second-Hand Dealing
- Staffing Agency
- Employment Agency
Improtant Notice When Staffing Agencies Utilize Rental Offices
Previously, staffing and employment agencies were not allowed to apply for licenses and permits using rental offices, but the 2017 legal amendment has changed this. As a result of this amendment, there has been an increase in requests for the use of rental offices by staffing and employment agencies.
Specifically, it is possible to obtain a permit for a rental office as long as the following checkpoints are met.
✔️ Whether you can rent a fully private office with a key
From a privacy perspective, staffing and employment agencies must meet the requirement that face-to-face job introductions can be conducted without job seekers being in the same room with each other.
Please note that interior designs that allow the interviewing process to be visible from the outside, such as booths with all-glass walls, do not meet this requirement.
Additionally, considering the management of personal information is crucial. It is advisable to check the following points in advance: "Is there a lock on the office space?" and "Is there a locked cabinet for document storage?"
✔️ Whether there are meeting rooms or reception areas separated by walls or partitions
This is another requirement for conducting face-to-face job introductions in a structure that takes personal information into consideration. Since interviews are required to be conducted by appointment only and face-to-face in a space that is not within the view of other job seekers, it is necessary to have a separate meeting room or reception area for interviews.
While using nearby rental meeting rooms is an option, it is best to have a meeting room or reception area within the office for convenience.
We have explained the relationship between rental offices and the industries. There are many details to check, especially for industries that require permits and licenses, so it is reccommended to consult with our agent who is familiar with rental offices to avoid regrets later.
