Coworking Membership Agreement

What is a Coworking Membership Agreement?

A Coworking Membership Agreement is a contract that outlines the terms and conditions for membership of a Coworking Space.

This contract is perfect for flexible office space where members share the workplace and facilities and do not have exclusive possession of the premises. Members only use part of the premises.

Coworking is NOT the same as a lease or sublease, but it offers many advantages, including flexibility, a community atmosphere and a shorter contract term with lower overheads.

Who is this Coworking Agreement for?

• Coworking Space
• Shared Workspace
• Open Office
• Accelerator
• Work Hub
• Executive Centre
• All Australian states and territories

Do I need a contract?

Yes, we definitely recommend you use a proper contract if you’re running a coworking space!

It’s essential to manage a coworking membership properly so that you protect your premises, your members and your reputation.

Setting out clear guidelines in a contract will make things easier for you and your members.

Contracts are about more than wrapping your members up in red tape and telling them what they can’t do. Think of your contract as relationship insurance: it does all the hard, boring work so you can focus on the fun part – the actual community.

Other names for a Coworking Membership Agreement

• Coworking Agreement
• Coworking Space Agreement
• Coworking Licence Agreement
• Coworking Terms of Use
• Coworking Terms & Conditions
• Shared Office Space Agreement

What does our Coworking Membership Agreement template include?

Our Coworking Membership Agreement template covers everything you need:

• Nature of this Agreement -makes it clear that this is not a lease
• Your Use of The Premises – how members can use the coworking space
• Access to Services – services included in the membership package
• Guests – rules for inviting guests into the coworking space
• Membership Fees – payment terms
• Compliance – code of conduct and rules that members must abide by
• Term – length of the agreement
• Termination – how either party can terminate the agreement
• Our Liability – limitation of liability clause to protect your business interests
• Your Liability – member liability for damage or losses
• Insurance – required insurance to be held by members
• Equipment – any equipment that is permitted or restricted
• Notices – how notices can be sent and received
• Governing Law – the governing law for the agreement
• General – legal terms
• Acceptance – how members can accept the agreement

Is a Coworking Agreement the same as a Lease?

The short answer is no. There are several key differences between the two:

Commercial Lease

Tenant has exclusive right to occupy the premises

Fixed-term (often several years)

High upfront costs

Can fit out the space to design a unique look and feel

Coworking Space

Shared office space

Flexible membership (often month-to-month)

No upfront costs

Can’t change the look and feel of the space

Access to shared facilities

Coworking actually takes the form of a Licence which allows members to use only part of the premises.

What are some of the benefits of coworking?

Coworking spaces have surged in popularity all over the world in recent years. Many benefits have contributed to the growing appeal of coworking. These benefits including flexibility, different packages available, culture, central location, facilities and lower cost to join.

Coworking Space Rules

Most coworking spaces will have internal policies and procedures that you will need to agree to. These typically relate to acceptable conduct and cover issues such as:

• noise levels
• harassment
• use of the kitchen
• drugs and alcohol
• inviting guests

Our Coworking Membership Agreement template includes a Code of Conduct with a list of rules for your members. You can add to this list of rules or make changes as required.

Can members bring guests into the space?

Yes, it is very common for members to bring guests or clients into the space for meetings. This is actually a great way to market your space and get the word out! However, it’s important to set rules around this and ensure that guests don’t take advantage of your generosity. Our template includes a clause to cover this, so you don’t have to worry.

How long are memberships?

You can decide on the different packages you want to offer to members and the length of memberships. Many coworking spaces now offer month-to-month options, or you could choose to offer fixed term memberships for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. It’s completely up to you!