Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Office Tier List

Is Office Tier List free to use?

Yes. Office Tier List is completely free for anyone searching for office space. Browse every listing, read all reviews, download inspection reports, save offices to your shortlist, and connect with providers directly; all at no cost. We don’t charge finder’s fees, broker commissions, or any hidden fees. Ever. The platform stays free because providers pay for optional verification services. When you find an office you like, you deal directly with the provider; no middleman, no markup, no commission added to your rent. We make money from verification, not from you.

What areas do you cover?

We cover London’s main office markets using a two-level structure: 10 Areas containing 41 Neighbourhoods. Areas group similar locations; for example, City Fringe North includes Shoreditch, Hoxton, and Hackney. Neighbourhoods are the specific districts where you’ll actually search. Current coverage includes the City, Midtown, City Fringe North and South, West End, South Bank, Docklands, and more. Each neighbourhood has its own page with local offices, transport links, and pricing context. We focus on areas with genuine demand for serviced and managed offices, then expand based on user requests. Browse the full directory to see all neighbourhoods.

Browse all London areas →

How is Office Tier List different from a broker?

Brokers take commission from providers when you sign a lease; typically 10-15% of your first year’s rent. That cost gets passed to you through higher prices, pressure to close quickly, or both. We don’t take commission. We don’t take referral fees. We don’t get paid when you sign a lease. Providers pay only for optional verification services; the inspection itself; not for leads or introductions. You connect with providers directly through our platform, negotiate directly with them, and sign directly with them. No middleman markup. No sales pressure. No one steering you toward offices that pay higher commissions.

What does “Verified” mean?

Verified offices have been physically visited by our inspection team. We spend 2-3 hours on-site testing WiFi under real load, measuring noise levels between desks, checking that amenities actually work, and speaking with current tenants about their honest experience. Each verified office gets a tier rating (Above and Beyond, Solid, Basic or Niche/Specialist) based on scores across five categories, plus a downloadable PDF inspection report with our detailed findings. If an office isn’t verified, we still list it with an estimated rating based on provider information and publicly available data; but we haven’t been there in person. The Verified badge means a human has vouched for it.

See all verified offices →

What do the tiers mean?

We rate verified offices across categories: Space Quality, Amenities, Service, Building, and Transport. Each category has specific criteria; for example, Space Quality covers fit-out, natural light, acoustics, and cleanliness. Scores combine into an overall rating. ‘Above and Beyond’ means the office exceeds professional standards across the board: premium fit-out, responsive management, standout amenities. ‘Solid’ means professional, reliable quality with no major gaps. ‘Basic’ means a functional workspace that covers the essentials without extras. Non-verified offices have estimated ratings based on provider information, not inspection scores.

How we verify offices →

How often are offices re-inspected?

We recommend annual re-verification, and most providers opt for this to keep their badge and ranking boost. If significant changes happen between cycles; new management, major renovation, ownership change, or service improvements; providers can request an updated inspection sooner. If we receive multiple credible complaints about a verified office, we may conduct an unscheduled re-inspection and update the rating accordingly. Verification can be suspended or downgraded if standards drop significantly from the original assessment. We also spot-check verified offices periodically to ensure ratings stay accurate.

How do you verify reviews?

Every reviewer submits their work email address, and we confirm with the office provider that the person works (or worked) in that space. Verification typically takes 1-3 business days. We only publish reviews from verified occupants; building a community of genuine reviewers, not anonymous spam or competitor sabotage. Your email address is used solely for verification and is never displayed publicly or shared with anyone. If we can’t verify that you worked in the space, your review won’t be published. This process protects the directory’s integrity and ensures every review comes from someone with real experience.

Can I post a review anonymously?

Yes. When submitting a review, you can choose to display it anonymously. We still verify that you worked in the space; that step is required for all reviews; but your published review shows only your industry and team size (e.g., ‘Tech company, 10-20 employees’) instead of your name and company. Your identity is never revealed to the office provider or displayed publicly. This lets you contribute honestly to the community without worrying about awkward conversations with your current landlord or burning bridges with a provider you might work with again. Anonymous reviews carry the same weight as named reviews.

How do I become a verified provider?

Visit our Become Verified page and submit an enquiry with your company details and number of locations. We’ll collaborate with you to arrange an in-person inspection of your space; typically 2-3 hours during normal working hours so we see the office as tenants actually experience it. After the visit, we assign a tier rating based purely on our inspection findings. You receive a Verified badge on all inspected offices, a detailed PDF inspection report you can share with prospective tenants, and a ranking boost in search results. Verification is annual, with options for interim re-inspection if you make significant improvements.

Become a Verified Provider →

Can I pay for a better rating?

No. Ratings are based entirely on our inspection findings. Providers pay for verification; the inspection process itself; but the resulting tier rating is whatever we find during the visit. We don’t negotiate scores, accept payments for upgrades, or adjust ratings based on advertising spend. If your office scores Basic, it’s listed as Basic. If you score Exceptional, you’ve earned it. This independence is why users trust our ratings. Providers can’t buy better placement or suppress negative findings. The only way to improve a rating is to improve the office and request re-inspection.
See how we rate offices →

Do I need an account to browse offices?

No. You can browse all listings, read every review, view inspection reports, compare offices, and connect with providers directly; all without creating an account. We don’t gate any information behind registration. An optional account lets you create a personalised shortlist, track your enquiry history, and get notified when new offices match your search criteria. But it’s completely optional. Most users browse and enquire without ever signing up. We designed it this way because we hate websites that force registration before showing you anything useful.

How do I contact an office provider?

Each office listing has a contact form. Fill in your details and requirements, and your enquiry goes directly to the provider; we simply connect you, we don’t act as a middleman. We don’t screen enquiries, filter leads, or take commission on any bookings that result. For verified offices, you can also download the PDF inspection report before reaching out, which helps you and your team prepare better questions for viewings. Providers typically respond within 1-2 business days. If you don’t hear back, you can follow up directly using the contact details on the listing.

What is coworking?

Coworking is on-demand workspace in a shared, communal environment. You pay a monthly membership for access to desks, meeting rooms, and amenities alongside other businesses and freelancers. Options range from hot desks (any available seat) to dedicated desks (your own reserved spot). Ideal for freelancers, remote workers, and small teams who want flexibility and community without committing to private space.

What is a serviced office?

A serviced office gives you private, lockable space for your team while still accessing shared amenities like reception, meeting rooms, and breakout areas. Everything is included: furniture, WiFi, utilities, and usually cleaning. You get your own domain with a proper front door, plus the benefits of a managed building. Suits teams wanting privacy and professionalism without the hassle of fitting out traditional office space.

What is a managed office?

A managed office (sometimes called a packaged office) is a private office with services bundled in. You get self-contained space, often a whole floor or building section, with management handling everything from cleaning to maintenance. More autonomy than serviced offices; you control the environment but someone else handles the operational headaches. Best for established teams wanting their own space without becoming property managers.

Still have questions?

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch and we’ll help.
Contact Us

Share: