A serviced office is a furnished private office, managed by an operator, that a business rents on a flexible licence or short lease with utilities, internet, cleaning, reception and meeting rooms included. In Bangladesh it suits foreign companies, startups and project teams. With a written agreement in the company's name and supporting landlord documents, it can usually serve as premises for trade license, BIN and bank purposes.
A serviced office sits between a virtual office and a conventional lease. You get a lockable private room or suite where your team works every day, but the operator handles furniture, internet, power backup, cleaning, security and reception. Terms are typically shorter and more flexible than a traditional Dhaka lease, which often demands a large advance and long commitment.
This page is for foreign investors setting up a branch, liaison office or subsidiary, startups that have outgrown co-working, and project teams with a defined life. It covers what is included, the documents that make a serviced office work for registrations, and the tax points to settle in the agreement.
On this page
What a serviced office includes
Operators package services differently. Read the agreement for exact inclusions and extra charges.
- Furnished private office or suite, with the option to add desks
- Electricity, generator or IPS backup, air-conditioning and internet
- Reception, mail handling and visitor management
- Cleaning, security and building maintenance
- Shared meeting rooms, pantry and printing, often with monthly credit hours
- Use of the address for correspondence and, if documented, registrations
Using a serviced office for licences and registrations
Unlike a mail-only virtual address, a serviced office is real occupied space, which is what Bangladeshi authorities look for. To rely on it, the paperwork must be right from the start.
- Agreement in the company's legal name, identifying the office number and floor
- Operator's authority to sub-let, such as its own lease or ownership documents, and holding tax receipt where requested
- Consent to use the address as registered office with RJSC and for trade license, BIN and bank KYC
- Permission to display the company name at the office, as company law requires
- For foreign-owned companies, documents suitable for BIDA, work permit and visa recommendation files
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Serviced office vs conventional lease
A conventional lease gives more space for the money over the long term and full control over fit-out, but involves advance rent, fit-out cost, utility connections, generator arrangements and staff for reception and cleaning. A serviced office costs more per square foot but has low setup cost and can be running in days. For teams under about ten to fifteen people, or those unsure of their growth path, the serviced route often makes better use of capital.
Check exit terms carefully. Many serviced office agreements require notice of one to three months; some lock you in for a minimum term.
Tax points in a serviced office agreement
Office space rental and related services attract VAT, and the operator should issue a Mushak 6.3 invoice. Depending on your entity type and the law in force, you may be required to deduct VAT at source and income tax at source on rent or service payments and issue certificates. Whether the charge is split between rent and services affects these deductions, so review the invoice structure before signing. Rates are set by the current Finance Act and SROs.
Who a serviced office suits
Foreign companies opening a branch or liaison office, which typically need a verifiable office for BIDA approval, bank accounts and work permits; startups after seed funding; consultancies and IT firms with small teams; and project offices for infrastructure or development programmes. Businesses holding inventory, running production, or receiving heavy walk-in traffic usually need a conventional premises instead.
How the process works
- Define requirementsHeadcount, location, budget, term and which registrations the office must support.
- Compare operatorsShortlist buildings and request written offers with identical scope.
- Review the agreementCheck name, office description, address consent, VAT and TDS treatment, notice and exit terms.
- Sign and move inExecute the agreement and collect the landlord documents needed for registrations.
- Register the addressUse the office for RJSC, trade license, BIN, e-TIN and bank records, keeping all details consistent.
Typical timeline: Moving into a serviced office can often be arranged within days of signing; updating RJSC, trade license, BIN and bank records to the new address typically takes a few weeks depending on each authority.
How Tax & VAT Associates helps
- Requirements brief and comparison of serviced office offers
- Agreement review for registration support, VAT, TDS and exit terms
- RJSC registered office notice and trade license and BIN address updates
- Document packs for BIDA registration, work permits and bank KYC
- Ongoing VAT and withholding compliance on rent and service payments
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a trade license for a serviced office?
Usually yes, if the agreement is in your company's name, identifies the specific office, and the operator provides the ownership or head-lease documents the City Corporation asks for. Confirm with the operator in writing that they will support trade license and BIN applications before you sign.
Is a serviced office suitable for a foreign company's branch or liaison office?
It is a common choice. BIDA applications, bank account opening and work permits for foreign staff generally require a verifiable office address with supporting documents, which a properly documented serviced office provides. It also avoids a large advance at a stage when the business is still establishing itself.
What is the difference between a serviced office and co-working?
A serviced office gives you a private, lockable room for your team. Co-working gives you a desk in a shared open space, either fixed or hot-desk. Co-working is cheaper, but a private serviced office is generally easier to support as business premises for licences and is better for confidential work.
Do I have to deduct VAT and tax from serviced office payments?
It depends on your entity and the nature of the payment. Certain entities must deduct VAT at source and many payers must deduct income tax at source on rent or services under the Income Tax Act 2023. We review your status and the invoice structure and set up the right deductions and certificates.
How long is a typical serviced office contract?
Terms range from monthly rolling arrangements to a year or more, with longer terms usually at lower monthly rates. Notice periods of one to three months are common. Match the term to your planning horizon and make sure the exit clause lets you leave without penalty if plans change.
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Learn more →Last reviewed: . Bangladesh tax and regulatory rules change with each Finance Act, SRO and authority circular. This page is general guidance; confirm current requirements for your case before filing.