To complain about co-working space

[digimumworld]

I am a freelancer, and work part time - remote. I decided to use a local co-working space as I was struggling at home. I have been there for 6 months and I feel like it has been a terrible experience and I am inclined to email the landlords/property owners and complain.

In 6 months the following has happened

1. I was invited to a mediated meeting for taking a cup to have some tea (the cups were in the cafe that wasn’t being used)
2. I am the only one that’s ever in this space despite the promise for more co-workers (this isn’t their fault but part of not being at home was the loneliness factor)
3. There was a flood which damaged some of my storage - I was just given a bigger space to move to
4. There were electrics which meant I couldn’t use the space for the month and they only gave us a days notice without alternative work space (despite them owning lots of other coworking spaces across the country)
5. The current person that runs the building has taken a disliking to me for speaking out which she sees as breaking the rules. It’s dusty so I cleaned and was told off for “touching people’s cleaning equipment”. It is I decorated and still has separation tape on the floor for over 6 months - I was told that they are working on making the space “nicer” but at the moment it’s a massive space with zero paint, minimal furniture and I was told off for creating a communal area with plants. Remember I am usually the only person in this massive industrial space.
6. I’ve had to buy my own toilet paper (despite it being communal) - it isn’t ideal when you really need to go and realise there isn’t any (haha). Since the tea incident she’s locked away the communal tea.

I can’t tell if I’m going crazy or if this is just unacceptable. What should I tell the property managers as other friends who have rented out spaces have said this place is poorly managed.

AIBU to complain or is this normal?

I am a paying for this space!

Op just go somewhere else
this one is not for you (or indeed anyone else)

1. **I am the only one that’s ever in this space despite the promise for more co-workers (this isn’t their fault but part of not being at home was the loneliness factor)

because everyone else has seen sense and left

It sounds miserable!

Is the person you are dealing with an employee, or is she running her own business/ subcontracting?

I really would concentrate more on expanding your capacity at home, than expending your energy on this.

Don't bother complaining. Just go elsewhere. It's clearly not a nice place to work, so the chances of nice people coming and joining you is minimal

They’re providing a service, if you don’t like it go elsewhere. Working at home, in a cafe, or another co working space would all be better options

Stop paying and wfh.

I wouldn’t complain, I’d just leave. It doesn’t sound like it’s working for a variety of reasons.

You can't win this / make this pleasant. Find somewhere new.

None of your points are really complain-able except potentially the short notice for the electrical works.

1. I see your sense but technically you were in the wrong to take a cup that didn’t belong to you. No case.
2. Not their fault. No case.
3. Sounds like they resolved the issue so no case.
4. Potential case but not really worth it.
5. It’s not your property. Again I see your sense but technically you’re in the wrong to touch the cleaning equipment etc. No case.
6. Potential gripe but a small one, not really worth it.

Don’t waste your energy.

Abit of both. She is running the space under her business, but I was told by an insider - from the main landlords side, that they are paying her to run the space.

Not sure what the exact set up is.

I know! It’s so cheap and I’ve had a few projects that have required the space - as once a week I bring a team in (thankfully the project ends in Aug and I can leave).

It has been difficult finding another space at a decent rate. I have contacted so many providers. Most people have a venue hire fee which works out thousands of pounds more.

The “mediator” admitted to me that she hates the way the space is being ran - but I haven’t heard from her in 2 months! Not sure if she’s left. She gave me her number but isn’t answering.

This is all weird

two threads about how much you hate this space and how the owners don’t seem very fond of you either

just… leave

Ugh - OK, so you need the larger space once a month.

Suck it up until then, then quit.

I've used co-working spaces, normally they're friendly, there's tea/coffee, a communal bit and individual bits, meeting rooms and the like - but the point is it's supposed to be pleasant easy, not miserable!

I don't get why a co-working space even has a mediator?

Nothing is going to change here. It's cheap because it's crap.

A mediator for a cup? What am I reading!

So the actual landlords are fond of me (the owners of the space - who I have got to know due to the “managers” insane behaviour and refusal to speak to me on certain situations without a mediator) - however the girl that manages the space isn’t fond of me. To be fair she keeps out of my way since the incident - but it has made the environment so hostile.

So I am wondering if I should send a short but pleasant email to the main landlords highlighting that I haven’t had a great time, a few suggestions. Then leave.

Why? I’m not sure if this will open up the door to one of their other spaces, (managed by other people, I know a few people that use their other spaces - as offices as opposed to co-working, so it wouldn’t work for me, and they don’t have the same problems I am having - the odd maintenance but nothing as crazy as this).

My original post - a few months ago was more so about me getting clarity that this situation isn’t right.

Whereas now I’m wondering if I should send the landlords an email (now that I have gotten to know them, they think that the lady managing the coworking space I’m in is doing a bad job - but seems like they won’t get her out).

Or maybe it’s not worth fighting for (despite the great price point).

Thanks. This is useful.

I think this is my point, despite having a terrible time I almost feel like I can’t prove it, without them having a come back.

A part of me wants to “complain”, just so that they are aware.

I guess I could politely give them my opinion, almost like an exit interview and leave.

Hmm.

There is a whole collection of issues, that, added together, make it not usable for the intended purpose. A reasonably clean space with usable toilet and kitchen facilities would be a minimum requirement for most work spaces.

If they are paying her, they need to know, so they can take action.

If she is running it as her business, then they won't care, because she wears the losses when she can't get people in.

I’ve read the other replies advising to just leave - I agree, it may be a waste of my energy. I have spent the past few months looking for elsewhere. We don’t have the set up at home for me to have an office - but I’m discussing it with my partner.

Just leave. Or send the landlords a short email if that appeals to you. All the talk of exit interviews etc is not appropriate in the circumstances. For the once a month that you actually need the space a hotel conference room or even upstairs room of a pub might do, or local community centre perhaps. It depends where you are, but just thinking of where I would go for similar.

You have been there 6 months, the owners have already had to get involved and ring you regarding complaints from a fellow co worker…. OP i think for everyone’s sake, move on