Off market office space in London is space that a landlord or owner is willing to let or sell without advertising it publicly. Morgan Pryce Partners Limited says it has access to on market and off market listings (live site, 13 Nov 2026), so you can compare both in one search.
What does off market mean in a London office search?
The term describes how a space is offered. It doesn't say anything about quality.
A building might sit outside the public listings for many reasons. An owner may prefer a quiet approach while a current tenant is still in occupation. A landlord may want to test interest before committing to a marketing campaign. A floor may not have been listed yet. That does not make it better value.
Off market is a route, not a category of building.
You'll usually hear about these spaces through agents and owners, not a property portal. We'll raise them alongside advertised options when they fit your brief. We don't promise that any particular building will be available.
How does off market space sit beside on market listings?
Most occupiers will look at both. That's usual. It's rarely a choice between one route and the other.
On market listings give you a visible picture of what's available and at what rent. The format is shown too. Off market options can widen that picture. A sensible search puts them side by side and judges each against the same tests. Those tests include location and size. They also include lease terms. Add occupancy cost and timing.
Published figures help with that comparison. On our City of London area page, read 13 Nov 2026, rents run from around £45.00 to £110.00 per square foot, with business rates typically from £16.00 to £21.00 per square foot. The same page puts the all in cost usually between £70.50 and £150.00 per square foot. These are published ranges. They're not a formal valuation.
Different districts look very different. Our Soho office space guide gives rents from around £57.50 to £125.00 per square foot (read 13 Nov 2026). That shows why the area matters as much as the route.
For a search in the Square Mile, the City of London area page explains how we work there. We search on market and off market offices. We arrange viewings. Then we negotiate rent and lease terms. We then support you through to occupation. Our tenant advisory and flexible office service covers traditional leasehold space and serviced offices. Managed offices are included too.
What should you ask before you pursue it?
A quiet listing still needs the same scrutiny. Ask more questions, not fewer.
Start with the basics. Why is the space not being marketed? Is the owner genuinely ready to agree terms? When could you actually take occupation? Is there a current tenant, and how firm is their exit?
Then turn to the lease itself. What length of term is on offer? Are there break options? Who carries repair obligations? How are service charges set out, and what will business rates add? GOV.UK's introduction to business rates explains how rates are charged. The Valuation Office Agency sets the rateable values.
For a public reference on lease negotiation, look at the Code for Leasing Business Premises, published by RICS. It gives landlords and occupiers a shared framework for heads of terms, which you can use as a checklist.
If you're buying rather than renting, the questions shift towards title and condition. Legal completion follows. Our commercial property purchase advisory team covers the search and due diligence. It also covers legal completion across London and the UK.
When is the off market route not the right fit?
Sometimes the off market route adds little. Be honest about your timetable.
If you need a space you can move into at short notice, a serviced office will often suit you better. Serviced and managed offices are offered on simpler terms, and the choice is usually visible on the open market. Chasing an unadvertised floor that depends on another tenant leaving can work against a tight deadline.
It also isn't the right choice when the brief is unclear. If you don't yet know your headcount or your budget, more options will only add noise. Settle those points first. Finally, be wary of urgency. An off market label isn't a reason to sign quickly. It says nothing about price.
Key takeaways
- Off market describes how a space is offered. It does not describe quality or value.
- Morgan Pryce Partners Limited says it has access to on market and off market listings (live site, 13 Nov 2026).
- Compare every option on the same tests. Look at location and size. Then look at lease terms. Add all in cost and timing.
- Use published area figures as a guide, not as a valuation.
- The Code for Leasing Business Premises gives you a public framework for checking terms.
- If speed matters most, a serviced office may be the better route.
Not necessarily. We don't treat off market as a signal of lower rent, because the route of marketing says nothing reliable about price. Rents depend on the building and the area, as well as the lease terms and the wider market. The sensible test is to compare the all in cost of each option. Include business rates and service charges. Set that against published ranges for the district.
Most occupiers hear about them through agents who are in regular contact with landlords and owners. Morgan Pryce Partners Limited says it has access to on market and off market listings (live site, 13 Nov 2026). We'll present relevant options alongside advertised space so that you can weigh them together. We cannot promise that a specific building will become available.
Yes. The same principle applies to purchases, where an owner may prefer to sell without public marketing. Buying brings its own checks. Those include title and condition, plus the legal process through to completion. Our purchase advisory service covers the search and due diligence. It also covers legal completion across London and the UK. It also names valuation services.
Clarity helps. Set out your likely headcount and your budget per square foot. Add your preferred areas and the date you need to be in. Decide early whether a traditional lease fits your plans. A serviced office or a managed office may fit better. With those points agreed, we'll search both on market and off market options. Call 020 3987 6200 or email info@morganpryce.co.uk to book a consultation.
