Get the shared space licence and the surrounding steps lined up properly

It usually starts with the basic deal terms, but shared space arrangements quickly raise extra questions. For example, who controls access, what areas are exclusive or communal, whether equipment is shared, and whether the head lease allows the arrangement at all. From there, the licence can be drafted or reviewed to deal with payment terms, permitted use, signage, hours, damage, insurance and exit mechanics. In many matters, the legal work is as much about getting the sequence right as it is about the wording, especially if landlord consent or outside approval may affect what can happen next.

Useful starting materials include the property address, a description or floor plan of the area being used, the proposed business activity, the licence fee, the term, and whether any part of the space is exclusive. It also helps to know if there is a head lease, existing draft licence, heads of terms or landlord correspondence. In shared environments, practical details matter a lot, such as use of reception areas, storage, treatment rooms, desks, equipment, signage and booking systems. Those details often shape the clauses that need the closest attention.

A generic occupancy template may not deal properly with the realities of multiple users operating from one premises. Shared kitchens, reception areas, rotating bookings, restricted access zones, customer incidents and responsibility for cleaning or damage can all create tension if the document is too bare. Another common issue is that the person offering the space may be limited by their own lease. A more considered licence can address those practical points directly, rather than leaving them to assumption. That is particularly important where the arrangement is ongoing or the occupier is customer-facing.

No. We can advise on where approval issues are likely to arise and how they may affect the wording of the licence or the order of steps, but the fixed-fee does not include obtaining approvals or making decisions on behalf of landlords, councils or other third parties. Approval depends on the relevant regulator or authority, and If regulator or authority requirements affect your matter, we will talk you through the practical next steps.. If the head lease restricts licensing, sub-letting or changes in use, that may need to be addressed before the arrangement can proceed safely.

Delays often come from unresolved operational questions rather than the document alone. Common examples include uncertainty about who can access the space outside business hours, whether staff or contractors can also use it, how shared facilities are booked, whether signage is allowed, and who is responsible for utilities, cleaning or repairs. Timing can also be affected by missing plans, incomplete lease documents or slow responses from landlords and other third parties. Where outside approval is relevant, the overall timeframe may extend beyond the legal drafting stage because those decisions sit outside Sprintlaw's control.

As an online law firm, we eliminate the headaches of paying us by the hour and finding time to meet with a lawyer in person. We charge a fixed fee, with upfront quotes and transparent pricing, and communicate via phone, email and video chat - whichever suits you! You'll be guided through our process by our expert lawyers, who are Australian-qualified and specialise in technology, intellectual property, contract drafting, corporate and commercial law.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Our law firm operates completely online, which means we can help you wherever you are in Australia. We work at The Commons Central - a cool co-working space in Chippendale, Sydney - but our lawyers often work flexibly across various locations.

Our lawyers also work from co-working spaces and home offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, so clients can get help online without needing to meet in person.