Boutique office leasing agency
Open a small local agency that leases offices for building owners and finds space for tenants.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small shopfront or office-based agency with a licensed principal and one or two staff. You list offices for local landlords, market them, run inspections and handle lease negotiations and paperwork.
Your first three steps
- Check with your state or territory regulator what licence the principal needs and what training and trust account rules apply to an agency
- Choose a location near a business area, cost a small premises lease and the main listing portal subscriptions, then build a simple budget covering at least 6 months with little income
- Approach local office owners and strata managers to ask for a few exclusive or open listings to start
Who pays
Owners of office buildings and strata offices who want a tenant, plus businesses that want help finding space.
How it makes money
Leasing commission paid by the landlord, sometimes a fee from tenants, and possibly ongoing management fees if you also manage the properties. Commission usually comes when a lease is signed.
Skills that help
- Sales and negotiation
- Property marketing and photography
- Managing staff and compliance
- Local market knowledge
Watch out for
- Agency licensing, with a licensed agent in charge, and each state's rules on staff registration
- Trust account rules and audits if you hold deposits or rent
- Professional indemnity, public liability and workers compensation insurance once you hire
- Premises lease costs and portal fees while you wait for the first deals
- Consumer and commercial leasing laws that differ by state, so check the local rules on disclosure and retail versus commercial leases
- GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: boutique office leasing agency
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an office leasing agency in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your premises, fit-out, portal fees, insurance and staffing. Treat this as an estimate and allow for costs while you wait for your first deals to complete.
How much can a boutique office leasing agency earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many listings and leases you complete, your local market and staff numbers. This is revenue, not profit. Running the agency typically takes around 35 hours a week.
What licences and rules apply to an office leasing agency?
Check agency licensing, including the need for a licensed agent in charge and each state's staff registration rules. Also check trust account rules and audits, commercial and retail leasing laws in your state, insurance, and GST registration once you reach the threshold.
Other ways to run this business
Similar business services ideas
Local lab supplies and equipment supplier
Stock and deliver lab instruments and consumables to schools, councils and businesses in your region.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local property management agency with a small team
Open a small office and grow a rent roll of local rentals with one or two property managers.
- A$20k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local rental agency with a small office
Open a small shopfront or office agency with a team managing rentals for landlords in your suburb.
- A$20k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Office accessories supplier with a small unit
Hold a wider range in a small warehouse unit and supply offices, shops and resellers with regular bulk deliveries.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bag wholesaler with a small warehouse
Buy bags by the pallet, store them in a small unit and deliver cartons to local shops, cafes and businesses.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small property auction agency
Run your own licensed agency that sells property by auction and earns commission from sellers when lots sell.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Photo: arealgirlfriday on Pixabay