Lease Advice

Over the years, we have developed the specialist knowledge and practical experience to help support you in your lease negotiations. Whether you are looking at ways to exit your current lease agreement, or wanting to enter into a new contract, we can assist you every step of the way.

If you're currently in a commercial property lease, it is vital that you give thought to the future and where you see your business going in the years ahead. It is never too early to consider your options and plan for your future. In fact, we advise tenants of their options several years ahead of their lease coming to an end to ensure they are financially and operationally prepared.

If you are looking to enter into a new lease agreement, it is vital you know exactly what you are signing up for. Unlike residential leases, commercial property leases can often run for a decade or more. It is therefore crucial that you have a thorough understanding of the contract terms and what your personal liability may be if things go wrong. We can offer advice on adding a break clause into the contract, which allows you to exit the contract early should your business not go to plan, or if you need to move to alternative premises to better accommodate your growing enterprise.

Gaining specialist advice is key for tenants in the process of negotiating a lease. Consulting with us will ensure that your interests are protected and the desired outcome is achieved.

Lease Exits

When it comes to exiting your commercial lease, it is not always as simple as you may anticipate. Certain things are expected of you when your lease term comes to an end. Issues such as break clauses, early termination options and dilapidations may need to be dealt with.

When coming to the end of a lease, if you decide that you want to permanently move from your current property, there are a number of things you will need to consider including your dilapidations bill.

‘Dilapidations’ refers to the repairs required at the end of a tenancy to return the property being vacated to the condition it was in at the start of the lease. This can be a laborious and costly process, and can impact upon the timing and viability of a move altogether. Our surveyors can review the cost of dilapidations prepared for you by your soon to be ex landlord to ensure the costs are fair. We do this by checking them against your lease obligations and also provide an independent quote for the required works. We can also help you understand the dilapidation clauses in your new lease, ensuring they are reasonable and fair.

Commercial Lease Renewal

When your lease is coming to an end, it is often a time when both tenants and landlords scrutinise the agreement in place and see whether there is justification for any amendments to be made to the terms and conditions.

This time can be the perfect opportunity for you to negotiate your contract, including rental payments and break clause, ahead of signing up for a new agreement. We can provide advice to tenants during this period of negotiation, striving to get the best deal for you and your business.

By the same token, when a lease comes up for renewal, landlords will also look to make adjustments and will often review the rent they charge you. We can take a close look at the changes proposed by your landlord and advise whether they are reasonable and fair in the current market or whether there would be room for negotiation.

Rent Review for a Commercial Lease

Being presented with a rent review by your landlord can be a particularly troubling experience, particularly if the review is unexpected. In other instances, the review may be written into your original lease contract whereby after a certain period of time the landlord has the right to review the rent charges and adjust accordingly. Including a rent review in a contract benefits a landlord whose property, and surrounding area, has experiences an uplift in market value. Likewise, a tenant could find a rent review advantageous to allow for regular break clauses and the opportunity to negotiate more favourable terms throughout the lease.

Whichever situation you are in, we can work alongside you to ensure you are fully aware of how rent reviews work so that you're able to negotiate effectively to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.