Commercial leases cover a vast range of property types, and are drafted in many different forms. Our approach is simple: Whether you’re an owner or occupier, at each lease event we do everything possible to create and add value for you. This may be by advising you to bring rents into line with the market, helping you to negotiate a rent discount, or suggesting that specific sections of a lease agreement be amended, or fine-tuned.
With a robust regional presence and a pool of highly experienced and capable specialists, we’re able to give you detailed advice tailored to your circumstances, at any stage in the property lifecycle. We’re equally at home working with the public sector as we are with the private, with a strong presence in both and a solid understanding of the differences between the two.
Leases can be complex and, on occasion, contentious. Our rounded perspective of the issues involved in leasing property means that the advice we give is comprehensive, and grounded in commercial reality - we know the market on a local and a national level. This is complemented by our specialist knowledge of markets as diverse as data centres, education and healthcare.
Services we provide include:
- Rent review - Our priority is to find a mutually beneficial agreement through negotiation, but we have extensive experience of Arbitration and the Independent Expert processes, if necessary
- Lease renewal - We work for both landlord and tenant in renewal discussions, aiming to find optimal solutions for both parties. If those discussions fail, we’re also able to take the matter to court or PACT and act as independent witnesses
- Lease restructure - Unlocking value for our clients is our key objective, by finding a fairer arrangement for all parties. Both occupiers and landlords benefit from our services, which fuse market awareness with technical know-how
- Lease negotiation - We use our expansive knowledge of the rental and investment markets to strengthen our client’s hand in negotiations
- Strategic review - Our consultants closely monitor clients’ lease arrangements, informing them of opportunities for rationalisation or restructuring to reduce costs and maximise returns
- Dilapidation valuation/Section 18 claims - We assist with negotiations and the preparation of expert court reports regarding the limitation cap for dilapidations
- Legal obligations - We can oversee the gathering of documentation for our clients, making sure that notice service and dates are correctly drawn up and filed
It’s worth noting that the implications of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for landlords are potentially severe. If a building fails to meet MEES, it will be impossible to renew an existing lease on a commercial property, or grant a new one.
Our sustainability consultants can also assist in preparing for the MEES, providing detailed advice on how best to implement the necessary changes to bring a property into line with EPC standards.
