Commercial Leases

• Parties and Premises: Identifies the landlord and tenant, with a detailed description of the property and any shared areas.
• Financial Terms: Specifies base rent, frequency of payments, rent reviews (increases), VAT, and service charges for any shared facilities.
• Lease Term and Termination: The duration of the lease, renewal options and break clauses.
• Use of Premises: Restrictions specified by the landlord on how the tenant can use the space (e.g. retail, office or restaurant) and any alterations that will be permitted.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Defines who is responsible for structural repairs and internal maintenance.
• Insurance and Utilities: Details who pays for building insurance, contents insurance, and utility bills.
• Assignment and Subletting: Outlines conditions under which a tenant can transfer the lease or sublet the space to another business. 

It is strongly advisable to take legal advice before signing a lease agreement, as it is essential to identify hidden and unfavourable liabilities. 

Your solicitor will ensure that you understand any complex, long-term financial obligations and ensure that your tenant rights are protected so that you have proper security of tenure. 

Without seeking legal advice, leases will often favour landlords within the terms. Your solicitor will be able to negotiate better clauses and responsibilities, protecting you from costly disputes and securing more flexible, agreeable terms, such as rent-free periods or better break clauses.

An experienced solicitor will also identify any risks such as full repairing obligations or unexpected insurance premiums.

You will also have peace of mind that the agreement complies with UK laws, ensuring clauses aren't illegal or unenforceable. 

By seeking advice from an expert commercial property solicitor, you will ensure that the lease aligns with your long-term business goals. It is important to note that once a commercial lease is signed, it is non-negotiable, so you need to be confident that it is the right agreement for you.

The Landlord generally maintains the building structure, roof, and exterior. The Tenant is usually responsible for non-structural repairs, interior decoration, plumbing, and electrical systems. 

It is a term in the lease which allows either the Landlord or the Tenant (or both) to end the Lease early provided certain conditions are met. 

Yes a lease can be brought to an end early  if both Landlord and Tenant are agreeable to send the Lease early. If there is a break clause, the lease can be terminated early if the provisions of the break clauses are met.  If the lease terms are not complied with and there is a forfeiture clause in the Lease, a Landlord may use this clause to end the Lease.  A tenant may wish to pass on the lease to someone else but this will usually require Landlord consent. 

At the end of the lease, tenants may be liable for the cost of returning the property to its original, good condition that it was first leased. This may include removing any structural changes to reinstate the original structure.

Without seeking expert legal advice, leases will often favour landlords within the terms as the lease is usually drafted by the landlord’s solicitor . Your solicitor will be able to negotiate better clauses and responsibilities, protecting you from costly disputes and securing more flexible, agreeable terms, such as rent-free periods or better break clauses.

Without advice you may end up being responsible for costs and repairs that you were unaware of, or your rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 may not be upheld (such as Security of Tenure).

The Landlord can sell the premises subject to the lease. The new owner will take the role of Landlord in your current lease will need to comply with the Landlord’s obligations in your lease. 

If a dispute arises, tenants must continue paying rent to avoid eviction. You should contact a solicitor that deals specifically with disputes.