What did you sign when you rented your room?

When I first started looking at treatment rooms, I was mostly concerned about the location, the cost, and whether it was somewhere my clients would feel comfortable. I didn't pay nearly enough attention to the rental agreement itself. I've since realised how important the little details are. Some rooms look reasonably priced until you discover you're committed to certain hours every week, whether you've got clients booked in or not.

I much prefer having some flexibility, especially when you're still building up regular clients. Being tied into a six-month agreement would make me nervous! Another thing I've learnt to ask about is what's included. Towels, laundry, storage and cleaning might sound like small things, but they all add up. And being able to leave your oils and equipment somewhere rather than carrying everything around London is a bonus.

I also think it's worth getting things in writing, even when the person renting you the room seems lovely. It's not about distrusting anyone, just making sure you both understand what's been agreed. I'd definitely advise anyone starting out to read the small print before handing over a deposit. A beautiful treatment room isn't much use if the rental terms end up costing you more than you're earning!