Commercial Lease Agreement Solicitors
We provide sensible, practical advice for landlords and tenants on commercial lease agreements
Commercial landlords need to ensure that lease terms preserve their rights and the value of their property whilst not being unduly onerous and hence unattractive to tenants.
When business tenants move or expand into new rental premises or seek to renew an existing lease, they need help to secure the right balance between flexibility and certainty, between cost and control, when negotiating the granting, transfer or renewal of a commercial lease.
Longmores’ Commercial Property team works with commercial landlords of all types and with business tenants seeking to lease new premises to amend, renew or renegotiate terms of an existing lease.
Our Property Litigation team can also assist with all aspects of commercial lease disputes.
Intelligent advice for all aspects of commercial lease agreements
We assist in all aspects of commercial property leases, including:
- Drafting commercial property leases for landlords
- Negotiating commercial lease agreements
- Commercial lease renewals
- Alterations to leasehold premises
- Rent Deposit arrangements
- Variations of leases
- Transfer of leases
- Subletting of premises
- Licences for change of use
- Advising on the terms of Rent Review clauses
- Disputes about Service Charges
- Exiting a commercial lease
- Commercial lease disputes
Based in Hertford, we work with clients all over the country, including London and the South East. Typical clients include commercial landlords and tenants, investors, developers and rural landowners.
Market-leading commercial lease expertise
We have vast experience advising on commercial leasing arrangements on a wide variety of properties, from retail and industrial units to offices.
We are ranked by leading client guide the Legal 500 for our expertise in Commercial Property, with our team being particularly known for their expertise with commercial leases.
As specialists in commercial property law, we know to focus on the issues that are most important to landlords and tenants.
We look not just at the legal points but help you to understand the impact of lease arrangements on your business operations. Thoughtful negotiation upfront minimises the likelihood of a property dispute later.
If a problem has arisen over a commercial tenancy, our Property Litigation team has extensive experience in commercial lease disputes.
Speak to our commercial lease agreements solicitors
To discuss your requirements with our sensible, approachable commercial lease experts, please get in touch.
Our commercial lease agreement services
Entering a commercial lease
Commercial lease agreements tend to be long and complicated, with many different clauses and provisions. It is essential that landlords and tenants negotiate terms that work for both parties and that each fully understands what they are agreeing to. This ensures the best chance of a positive landlord-tenant relationship and minimises the risk of disputes.
Our commercial lease agreements solicitors can assist with matters, including:
- Negotiating the terms of commercial leases
- Drafting commercial property leases for landlords
- Rent Deposit arrangements
- Alterations to leasehold premises
Advice on an existing commercial lease
Often during a commercial tenancy, situations will arise where either landlord or tenant needs clarification on the terms of the lease agreement or where there is the need for changes to be made to the property or the terms of the tenancy.
Having the right advice can help to ensure such issues are dealt with smoothly, allowing a productive landlord-tenant relationship to continue while protecting the rights of both parties.
We can advise on matters, including:
- Landlord and tenant liabilities under a commercial lease
- Alterations to leasehold premises
- Variations of leases
- Transfer of leases
- Subletting of premises
- Licences for change of use
- Advising on the terms of rent review clauses
- Disputes about service charges
Commercial lease renewals
When the time comes to renew a commercial lease, there are different procedures that may need to be used, depending on the circumstances. In some cases, the terms of the existing lease can essentially be ‘rolled over’ into a new lease, or the terms may need to be renegotiated.
In either eventuality, it is critical to seek expert legal advice to ensure the new agreement is put in place as quickly and smoothly as possible and that it protects your best interests.
Our commercial lease agreements solicitors can assist with lease renewal matters, including:
- Section 25 Notices
- Section 26 Requests
- Negotiation of the new lease
- Court applications for new lease or determination of disputed terms
Exiting a commercial lease
There can be various reasons for terminating a commercial lease, some of which may be non-contentious, but it is not uncommon for conflict to arise where one party wishes to end the tenancy, and the other does not.
Taking the right approach to ending a commercial lease can help to minimise the risk of conflict and thus save you time, legal costs and the potential for unwanted publicity and reputational damage.
We can advise on matters, including:
- What happens when a commercial lease period ends
- Break clauses
- Commercial lease forfeiture
- Dilapidations (any damage or defects to the property due to the tenant breaching the terms of their lease)
Commercial lease disputes
Given the complexity of commercial leases and the large sums often involved, it is perhaps not surprising that disputes will sometimes occur. However, these disputes do not need to escalate into contentious (and costly) legal proceedings if the right approach is taken early on.
Drawing on our strong skills in alternative dispute resolution, our Property Litigation team are able to head off most property disputes, securing amicable settlements that protect our clients’ immediate and wider interests. Should court proceedings be needed, our litigators have the experience and dogged determination to get you the best possible outcome.
Our commercial lease disputes experts can advise on matters, including:
- Commercial rent arrears
- Breach of lease covenants
- Dilapidations
- Commercial lease renewal
- Lease forfeiture
Our commercial lease agreement fees
Cost is a key consideration and by maintaining a keen focus on efficiency, we are able to offer our high-level commercial lease expertise at a competitive rate.
For all matters involving commercial lease agreements, we will work to an agreed hourly rate dependent on the level of expertise needed. We will provide a clear cost estimate at the outset, and any additional expenditure will be agreed upon in advance, so you always stay in control.
To find out more about our commercial lease agreement fees and to request a cost estimate, please get in touch.
Speak to our commercial lease agreements solicitors
To discuss your requirements with our sensible, approachable commercial lease experts, please get in touch.
