Commercial Lease Advice
We offer clear, practical legal support for every aspect of commercial lease management
Dealing with commercial leases can be complicated, with the need to balance the competing interests of landlords and tenants. Seeking expert legal advice can help to maintain positive relationships with tenants while safeguarding landlords’ investments.
Longmores’ Property Litigation team combine an impressive depth and breadth of property law expertise with a strong commercial mindset. This allows us to provide legal solutions that help clients to operate successfully and profitably in the property sector.
By taking a proactive approach and offering good early advice, we are able to sidestep many of the issues that commercial landlords, tenants and managing agents dread. Where problems do arise, we can find intelligent solutions that reflect your priorities, with the robust litigation skills to handle even the most contentious matters effectively.
Access our market leading commercial lease advice
Our commercial lease advice services include:
- Commercial rent arrears
- Breach of lease covenants
- Dilapidations
- Commercial lease renewal
- Advice on lease forfeiture
Based in Hertford, we work with clients all over the country, including London and the South East. Typical clients include management companies, managing agents, commercial landlords and tenants, investors, developers and rural landowners.
Independently recognised for our commercial property litigation expertise
We are ranked by leading client guide the Legal 500 for our Commercial Property and Commercial Litigation expertise.
Head of Property Litigation John Wagstaffe has been recommended by the Legal 500 for his property litigation expertise and is a member of the Property Litigation Association and the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners.
Speak to our commercial lease solicitors
To discuss your requirements with our pragmatic, commercially focused and approachable commercial lease experts, please get in touch.
Our commercial lease advice services
Commercial rent arrears
Unpaid rent can cost you more than just lost income. It also takes up time and energy that could be spent on more profitable activities. Getting expert assistance to recover commercial rent arrears is often the most cost-effective option.
At Longmores, our Property Litigation team provide a fast, efficient commercial rent arrears recovery service, helping management companies, managing agents and landlords to swiftly resolve unpaid rent disputes.
Our commercial rent arrears recovery solicitors can assist with:
- Pre-action commercial rent arrears recovery
- Court action to recover commercial rent arrears
- Advice on how the Coronavirus Act 2020 affects commercial rent arrears recovery
Breach of lease covenants
Breaches of lease covenant can take a multitude of different forms. Whether it is the landlord or the tenant who has broken the terms of the lease, it is important to take an intelligent and pragmatic approach.
We can advise on whether a breach has occurred and your options, including seeking a swift settlement or taking firmer action where required. At all times, our focus will be on securing the best outcome for your commercial interests.
Our specialist solicitors can advise on issues including:
- Unauthorised change of use
- Unauthorised alterations
- Unlawful subletting
- Nuisance
- Failure to repair
Dilapidations
Where a tenant fails to return a property in the state required by their lease, landlords can find themselves dealing with the cost of putting things right and lost income in the meantime while the property cannot be re-let.
We can help to avoid the cost of the dilapidations falling onto landlords by providing direct support to ensure tenants meet their obligations, whether through an amicable settlement or court action as required.
Our commercial lease solicitors can assist with options including:
- Service of dilapidations schedules
- Requiring tenants to comply with their repair obligations during the tenancy
- Recovering the cost dilapidations from tenants at the end of the tenancy
Commercial lease renewal
Renewing commercial leases can be complicated, with the need to follow the strict rules as set out within the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
Drawing on our substantial experience, our Property Litigation team can guide landlords and tenants through every stage of a business lease renewal. We can make the process as straightforward as possible, while ensuring your interests are fully protected.
Our commercial lease solicitors can advise on matters including:
- Section 25 Notices
- Section 26 Requests
- Negotiation of new lease terms
- Court applications for new lease or determination of disputed terms
Advice on lease forfeiture
Where a leaseholder has breached the terms of their lease, forfeiture may in some circumstances be the best outcome for the landlord. There are strict rules around lease forfeiture, however, so it is important to have the right legal advice.
We can assist with every step of lease forfeiture proceedings, including advising on what notices must be served, whether court proceedings are necessary, and whether alternative options may be more appropriate. Our team can work closely with you to ensure forfeiture is justified and help it to go ahead smoothly with no risk of adverse legal action.
Our commercial lease solicitors can advise on issues including:
- What notices to serve
- Whether forfeiture is appropriate and legally justified
- Bringing forfeiture claims in court
- Negotiating with leaseholders who wish to avoid forfeiture
Our commercial lease advice fees
Cost is a key consideration when dealing with any legal matter. By keeping our overheads low and maintaining a keen focus on efficiency, we are able to offer our high-level property law expertise at a competitive rate.
Where appropriate, we are able to provide commercial lease advice on some matters on a fixed fee or capped fee basis, making it easier for you to budget with confidence.
For more complex commercial lease matters where ongoing support is required, 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 in advance, so you always stay in control.
To find out more about our commercial lease advice fees and to request a cost estimate, please get in touch.
Speak to our commercial lease solicitors
To discuss your requirements with our pragmatic, commercially focused and approachable commercial lease experts, please get in touch.
