Short-term leasing for start-up entrepreneurs: how does it work?

As a new entrepreneur, you want to remain flexible. You often don’t yet know exactly how quickly your business will grow, how many kilometres you’ll be driving, or what type of car you’ll need in a year’s time. A long-term lease contract may therefore be less appealing. Short-term leasing, on the other hand, offers greater flexibility to adapt as your business develops.

What is short lease?

Short-term leasing is a flexible form of leasing for a shorter period. You pay a fixed monthly amount and, depending on the contract, costs such as maintenance, insurance and road tax are included. This makes short-term leasing an attractive option if you need a company car but do not yet want to commit to a contract for several years. This can be particularly useful in the early stages of a business.

What is Shortlease and why is it interesting for painters?

For start-up entrepreneurs, flexibility and minimising large investments are key. Buying a car can immediately put a significant strain on your available budget – money you might prefer to spend on marketing, stock, equipment or other business expenses. With a short-term lease, you don’t have to buy a car straight away. You pay a monthly fee for the use of the vehicle, which leaves you with more financial flexibility.

What’s more, your situation can change quickly. You might gain more customers, drive more kilometres, or – over time – find that you actually need a larger car or a commercial vehicle. With a short-term lease, it’s often easier to adapt to these changes than with a long-term lease contract.

Can you take out a short-term lease without annual accounts?

Start-up entrepreneurs often do not yet have full annual accounts available. This does not necessarily mean that a short-term lease is out of the question. The information required to assess an application varies depending on the provider and the situation. For example, your company details and additional financial information may be taken into account.

Have you only just started your business? If so, it’s a good idea to find out in advance which documents are required and what options are available to you.

Which car is right for your business?

The right car depends mainly on the nature of your work. Do you mainly use the car for client visits and business meetings? If so, a compact or mid-sized passenger car may be sufficient. Do you work in construction, installation, delivery or another sector where you transport a lot of materials or tools? In that case, a commercial vehicle is often a more sensible choice.

When choosing a car, bear in mind the following, amongst other things:

• the number of kilometres you expect to drive
• the required loading or luggage space
• your monthly budget
• the number of seats
• petrol, hybrid or electric driving

By taking a close look at your day-to-day work in advance, you can avoid choosing a car that isn’t really suited to your business.

Should I opt for a short-term lease or buy a car?

One advantage of buying a car is that the vehicle belongs to you. On the other hand, you usually have to invest a larger sum up front and are responsible for matters such as maintenance, insurance and any repairs. With a short-term lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount and various car-related costs are often already covered. What’s more, you’re not tied in for as long.

For someone just starting out, it is precisely this combination that can be appealing: having access to a professional vehicle without having to make a major investment straight away or be tied to the same car for years on end.

Flexibility on the move as a new entrepreneur

Je bedrijf kan in de eerste jaren snel veranderen. Daarom is het prettig als je mobiliteit daarin mee kan bewegen. Shortlease kan een goede oplossing zijn wanneer je als startende ondernemer snel een zakelijke auto nodig hebt, maar nog niet precies weet wat je over een paar jaar nodig hebt.

At Shortleaseland, you can see which passenger cars and commercial vehicles are available and which solution best suits your business. This allows you to remain mobile and flexible as your business continues to grow.