Questions like who is responsible for the building, the insurance and the utilities, or what the property can actually be used for, need answering properly before anyone signs anything. Our landlord and tenant solicitors act for both sides of commercial leases, whether you are a landlord looking to protect an asset or a business taking on premises for the first time, so you get advice from a team that understands the position from both angles. We prepare and negotiate leases, subleases, assignments and licences, and can explain where a lease ends and a licence begins if that distinction matters to your situation. We keep the process moving at a pace that suits you, rather than letting negotiations drag on longer than they need to.
A commercial building is a significant asset, and a lease drawn up specifically for your circumstances helps protect it properly. Left to a generic template, a lease can leave gaps that only show up once something goes wrong, whether that is a tenant falling behind on rent or a dispute over who is responsible for repairs. We negotiate the agreement on your behalf so the terms work in your favour from the outset, rather than leaving you to rely on standard wording that was never written with your building in mind. Beyond the initial lease, matters like lease assignments, sub-letting, licence for alterations and questions about the covenants in the lease tend to come up over the life of a tenancy, and we are on hand to deal with those as they arise rather than only being involved at the start.
Finding premises that fit what your business needs is only the first step. The contract that comes with it matters just as much, since it is what determines whether you have the security and flexibility to actually run your business the way you plan to. Without the right terms in place, it is easy to find yourself tied into a long term agreement once your business has outgrown the space, or facing restrictions on how you can use the premises that only become clear after you have moved in. We also look at what happens at the end of the term, including any options to renew or break the lease early, so you are not caught out by a decision that needs to be made years down the line.
We advise you on whether Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is payable for the new lease based on any premium you may be paying for the lease and the rent you will pay, as well as whether VAT is payable on the rent. We will also advise you on the rent deposit deed if you are required to pay a rent deposit to the landlord at the beginning of the lease.
Leases rarely exist in isolation from the rest of a commercial property deal. Where yours does not either, our commercial property team already has the background, since they are handling the purchase, sale or mortgage alongside it. We act as commercial landlord and tenant solicitors across the region, for landlords and tenants alike.
Service could not be improved
I am very happy with Hine solicitors and my solicitor who I cannot recommend highly enough, excellent guy with great interpersonal skills
I have used Hine solicitors twice, each time the service that was provided was excellent. I would 100% recommend Hine Solicitors.
The service I received from Hine solicitors was exemplary.
— Mr P
