Worst Office Space Rental you can come across

I have been in the office space rental for 6 year's now and I must admit, for the longest of time I have been avoiding Regus which is the big brother of the company SPACES. Reason being I didn't want to sign any lease agreement with them, I know the monopoly and scrutiny that comes with their Terms and Conditions. So I decided to get a 1 man office with them to test the waters as I'm a small business owner and my business is growing. I chose their Rivonia Branch where there's Magdalena as their current Centre Manager. At first when I went the for a viewing and meeting, We discussed my business interests and their available packages from Co working, virtual space to Individual Office Spaces. So we went down the individual office space rates for a 1 man office as to what I was interested in. So 1/2 Man office They range anything from 20k to 24k that's with 1 month's rent and 2 month's Deposits they'll tell you it's "retainers" but it's really deposits. So we broke down my quotation to 12k That will be 1 Month rent and 1 month's deposit as I negotiated the remaining retainer, I will pay it during the first 2 month's of settling into the office and having my business running.

Number 1 you need to understand I told the Centre Manager Magdalena that I don't want to sign any lease agreement contract with SPACES as I'm looking for a Month to Month option package. We chose a Month to Month package. Firstly. Secondly me having to secure a deal for R12k as opposed to the requested total cost of R21k was already a breach of contract. So I went through their contract application and their Ts and Cs and believe me. Me getting that deal was a breach of contract. But let's move from that. So after I made my 12.9K payment. Everything was all rosey, welcoming and etc. I had my company key tag. keys to the office a warm welcome from the ladies at the reception and free coffee to their Coffee Bar as a new customer to their premises.

So Number 2. You will get billed on the 15th of every month as opposed to your traditional last day of the Month or first day of the month office space Rentals we all common with. Remember I had moved in during the first week of the Month April already Paid damage for moving early within a month and within a space of a week on the 15 of April I was billed for May Rental already and with 2 months deposits. My office space was R5800. But everything was billed at 18k-R21k didn't understand why a hefty amount and what's going on here. So I sent the centre manager a message that I needed them to give me untill Month end of April to settle my payments for Mays rent and the remaining deposit. So first week of May I was denied access to the building I received a email informing me that. The centre manager told me I could only come into the office to collect my Valuables and etc. So even if I made Mays rent. I Would've still be billed at 18k-R21k for outstanding balance. So I asked the lady why is this Invoice so high in a space of 2 weeks. I recently got a New office space in Rivonia not far from SPACES, there's no hidden fees and hidden T's and C's that will surprise you. Just simple 1 month's rent and 1 Month's deposit all totalling at R7k before moving in. Rent is R4kpm paid on the 1st of every month. So I contacted the lady and asked her to cancel my contract as I've moved my business somewhere else. She went on and sent me a hefty R21k Outstanding balance on the invoice. Bare in mind I was only there for April Alone paid R12k just to move in their premises. Here I am today with a R21k Outstanding balance for only a month of me using their premises. I never stepped a foot in May & June to date, I understand they charge every next Month on the 15th of every month. So I was willing to pay May rents even though I was never at their premises just for my peace of mind and the telephone costs as I was making calls. Oh Yes they give a telephone with a Telkom registered line that bills you alongside with your rental. So I asked the lady to cancel my contract with Spaces before June bills on the 15th of May. (Very confusing) so she told me that the contract has been cancelled but I still don't understand why the bill is sitting at 21k. When I know I won't receive any of my deposit. I made it very clear from start in April with the Centre Manager that I don't want any lease agreement package I want the Month to Month package rather. She constantly made mistakes billing me at first, I had to correct the invoice several times to a point I even negotiated for a better deal because I know I could get cheaper office space elsewhere within the same area. Now that my contract it's cancelled I'm still Owing spaces R21k and my outstanding balance will be handed over to a Debt collecting company and attorneys if no payments are made it's very bold to see that in red colouring in my mailbox. I thought I signed a Month to Month package but this rather seems like a lease agreement.

Moral of the story. To any Small business owner. Just don't get impressed with this fancy office space set up. All this fancy services they provide at the end of the day someone has to pay for them and guess what.l, Small businesses trying to grow will take a hit for Spaces expenses on running their Buildings. I honestly wouldn't recommend any Small business owner to take office space with Regus or Spaces for that matter. I truly don't understand their business model and they make everything all sweet to the ear at the beginning and at the end when you want to cancel your membership, It's a whole altercation with them. Stay away from this office rentals. They honestly trying to stay afloat by killing small businesses and keeping their business up and running their "Services" excellent. I can imagine how many other business owners that have to go through with this Company and not say anything about them or even write a company Review on behalf of other Small business owners. Read their contacts carefully but honestly just stay away. You won't make any real business especially in this climate we are in as a nation