If you’re sitting on unused office space, you’re not alone. Many businesses across Ireland are finding themselves with more square footage than they need especially with hybrid and remote work models on the rise. But what’s the best way to legally sublet that space without landing in legal hot water or breaching your lease?

That’s where smart planning and the right tools like the FindQo.ie Office Space Calculator can make a difference. Designed specifically for office planning in Ireland, this free AI-powered tool helps both lessors and subtenants estimate the right office footprint based on real needs, not guesswork.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the legal steps of subletting office space in Ireland and show you how the office space calculator helps both sides make better, informed decisions.

Understanding Subletting in Ireland: The Legal Lowdown

Before you list your extra desks on the market, it’s essential to understand the legal framework for subletting commercial space in Ireland.

Check Your Lease Terms First

Most commercial leases include a “user clause” or “alienation clause” that outlines whether subletting is allowed. Some leases outright prohibit it, while others permit it with the landlord’s written consent.

You’ll need to:

• Review your lease carefully
  
• Notify your landlord in writing
  
• Seek consent formally (even if the lease says the landlord can’t “unreasonably withhold consent”)
  

Failing to follow this process could result in breach of contract which comes with serious risks.

Get Legal Advice

If you’re unsure, consult a solicitor specialising in property law. They can help you draft a sublease agreement that protects your interests and aligns with Irish regulations.

Sublet Strategically: Plan Before You Pitch

Once the legal boxes are ticked, it’s time to determine how much space you should actually sublet. That’s not just a logistical issue it’s a financial one.

Too much, and your team could be cramped. Too little, and you’re missing out on potential income. That’s where the FindQo.ie Office Space Calculator becomes invaluable.

Why Use an Office Space Calculator Before Subletting?

Rather than relying on assumptions, you can use the office space calculator to analyse:

• Your current team size
  
• The type of workspace needed for operations
  
• Frequency of office use (daily, weekly, ad hoc)
  
• Whether you’re operating fully or partially remote
  

This ensures you’re retaining the space you need while offering an accurate, functional layout to potential subtenants.

The tool is:

• Free to use
  
• Doesn’t require sign-up
  
• Unlimited in usage
  
• Built with AI-driven insights tailored to Irish office norms
  

How the FindQo.ie Office Space Calculator Works

The calculator uses a two-fold approach to generate accurate office layout estimates, making it ideal for landlords, tenants, and subtenants alike.

1. List-Based Inputs

Start by entering structured details such as:

• Number of employees
  
• Workstyle preference (hot-desking, dedicated desks)
  
• Required spaces (meeting rooms, private offices, breakout zones)
  

These data points generate a square metre estimate for optimal space planning.

2. Question-and-Answer Logic

Next, it asks you scenario-based questions, such as:

• How often do employees come into the office?
  
• Do you share desks or have a fixed layout?
  
• What kind of collaboration or quiet spaces are needed?
  

This adaptive logic helps account for fluctuating team sizes, hybrid models, and temporary usage patterns ideal for companies subletting to short-term or seasonal partners.

Startups: Subletting a Portion of Your Office as You Scale

Startups often lease more space than they initially need to allow for growth. But while you’re scaling, that extra space can be an expense rather than an asset.

Use the Office Space Calculator to:

• Determine the exact area you can sublet without hampering operations
  
• Forecast how much space you’ll actually need over the next 6–12 months
  
• Explore different configurations that let you partition off areas for subtenants
  

This ensures you generate revenue from unused space without impacting your core business.

Hybrid Teams: Share Space, Save Costs

In a hybrid work environment, your office may only be used 50% of the time. Subletting becomes a smart move but it has to be calculated properly.

How Hybrid Businesses Can Benefit:

• The calculator factors in occupancy rates and work schedules
  
• You can see how many desks are genuinely in use day-to-day
  
• It helps model shared office scenarios where two companies alternate days or weeks
  

This kind of data can also make your offering more appealing to potential subtenants who may be looking for flexible, part-time arrangements.

Remote-First Companies: Sublet with Minimal Disruption

Even remote-first companies tend to lease office space for meetings, client days, or creative sessions. But often, this space is idle more than it’s used.

A Smarter Way to Handle It:

• Use the office space calculator to determine the minimal footprint needed
  
• Create a plan for subletting underused areas like large meeting rooms or open-plan zones
  
• Offer that space to freelancers, consultants, or micro-businesses on flexible terms
  

It’s a win-win: they get professional space, and you recoup overheads without altering your working culture.

How to Market Sublet Space with Confidence

After identifying how much space to sublet, the next step is presenting it effectively. Here’s how to turn your insights into action.

Prepare a Space Breakdown

Use the calculator’s output to detail:

• Total area available (in square metres and feet)
  
• Type of space (open desk area, enclosed offices, meeting rooms)
  
• Facilities included (Wi-Fi, kitchen, security access)
  

Clear, accurate specs make listings more attractive and build trust with potential subtenants.

Highlight Flexibility

Subtenants especially in the Irish startup scene love flexibility. Use the calculator to propose:

• Daily, weekly, or monthly usage options
  
• Access scheduling (e.g. “Tuesdays & Thursdays available”)
  
• Cost per square metre based on layout and team size
  

With accurate planning, you’ll appear professional, organised, and ready to work collaboratively.

Make the Most of Office Space Whether You’re Subletting or Renting

Whether you’re a business subletting extra space or a company looking for a small, flexible footprint, planning is everything. And that planning starts with understanding your true space requirements.

The FindQo.ie Office Space Calculator empowers you to:

• Accurately assess space needs
  
• Plan future growth or downsizing
  
• Structure smart subletting offers
  
• Avoid costly overestimations or risky underleasing
  

No sign-ups. No fees. Just clear, AI-backed insights to support your decisions in real-time.

Sublet Smarter with Tools That Work for You

Subletting doesn’t have to be a legal maze or a logistical headache. With the right understanding of your lease, proper planning, and the office space calculator at your side, you can turn unused space into an opportunity.

Whether you’re trying to maximise ROI on a commercial lease, scale sustainably, or support the flexible future of work, start with data not guesswork.