Premises finder for small businesses
Work from home finding shops, offices and units for small businesses that want to rent, and earn fees or commission.
- £300-2k
- Side hustle
- Online
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 68310 “Real estate agencies”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You help start-ups and growing firms find and negotiate suitable premises. You shortlist options, arrange viewings, and guide them through lease terms with a solicitor.
Your first three steps
- Write a one-page service outline and fee structure, and set up a simple website with a clear enquiry form
- Learn the typical lease terms, business rates and planning use classes that affect small premises in your area
- Reach out to business networks, local start-up groups and landlords with small units to find your first clients
Who pays
Small businesses, start-ups and franchisees looking for premises, and sometimes landlords who pay a commission when a deal completes.
How it makes money
A search fee or retainer from the tenant, a commission from the landlord on completion, or a mix of both, depending on what you agree.
Skills that help
- Research and online searching
- Negotiating and explaining lease terms plainly
- Communicating with business owners
- Organising viewings and paperwork
Watch out for
- Anti-money laundering supervision: check whether you need to register with HMRC for the work you do
- Be clear that you are not a solicitor, and tell clients to take legal advice on leases
- Professional indemnity insurance is worth checking, as bad advice on premises can be costly
- Check how you describe fees and whether landlords also pay you, so clients are told about any conflict of interest
- Check your data protection obligations when holding client details
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: premises finder for small businesses
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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 a tenant search business in the UK?
Startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on your website, insurance, software and marketing. These are estimates, so list what you actually need before committing any money.
How much can you earn finding premises for small businesses?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £0 to £3,500, depending on how many deals complete and the fees or commission you agree. Early months may bring little income while you build contacts.
What rules should I check before finding premises for clients?
Check whether you need to register with HMRC for anti-money laundering supervision, and make clear you are not a solicitor. Look into professional indemnity insurance, explain any landlord fees as a possible conflict of interest, and check your data protection duties.
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