Charities remain an active part of the central London office market, but their approach to real estate is becoming more selective, cost-conscious and operationally disciplined.
Devono’s Charity Sector Leasing in Central London report reviews office leasing activity across the sector, analysing where charities are taking space, how requirements are changing and what recent activity reveals about rental appetite, lease commitments and location preferences.
The report shows that leasing activity paused in 2025 following a strong rebound in previous years, with total take-up falling to 106,989 sq ft across 20 deals. Despite this slowdown, activity remained slightly above the long-term annual average, highlighting that demand has not disappeared but is becoming more measured.
The City continues to anchor charity demand, while the East Fringe has emerged as a key growth location, supported by relative affordability, strong connectivity and access to well-refurbished space. At the same time, the sector remains heavily reliant on secondhand offices, with 89% of leasing in 2025 focused on existing stock.
Looking ahead, charities are expected to remain active but highly cost-sensitive. Funding constraints, rising operating costs, workforce pressures and growing demand for services are likely to push occupiers towards more efficient footprints, greater flexibility and value-led locations. For many organisations, workplace decisions in 2026 and 2027 will be shaped less by expansionary ambition and more by financial resilience, operational efficiency and value for money.
