Commercial Lease Disputes

INTRODUCTION

Commercial lease disputes can often become very expensive and time-consuming processes. Commercial leases are often lengthy and detailed documents and it can be hugely damaging if you misinterpret a clause and base your case on that belief.
 
Obviously, the first step to reduce exposure to a commercial lease dispute is to make sure that your lease is bespoke to your particular needs, and that it is written in plain English. If everybody understands and accepts a lease document, they are less likely to reach a disagreement over it later on.
 
However, the potential for a commercial lease dispute can never be removed entirely. It is important then to ensure that you are fully aware of your legal position at the very outset of a landlord and tenant dispute.
 
Surrey Solicitors are able to draft bespoke leases for your particular needs. We can provide detailed legal and commercial advice so that you know exactly what your legal position is in the face of a commercial lease dispute. We will set out your full range of legal and commercial options, along with the likely costs and timescales for each.



ACTING FOR LANDLORD

Service charge and rent arrears recovery
We are well known for our ability to help clients to resolve disputes arising from non-payment of service charges or rent. We will provide you with:-
  • market-leading recovery speeds and success
  • no upfront costs, and
  • full and transparent updates


We can also provide other avenues for recovery such as mediation.

Forfeiture and Possession Proceedings

If you need to end your commercial lease, Surrey Solicitors will talk you through your options and steer you to a suitable outcome. We are experienced in both forfeiture and possession proceedings. We will take care of the entire process from beginning to end. In all cases, we always aim to settle any disputes through effective negotiation to avoid the need for costly court fees, if possible.



Dilapidations

Schedules of dilapidations are schedules detailing the repairs which are needed to a property under the terms of the lease. They are often the cause of commercial property disputes between landlords and tenants, particularly upon termination of the lease. Surrey Solicitors will use our skills to help you to resolve commercial dilapidations disputes.


Rent Reviews
Although pretty much every lease will include them, rent reviews are rarely well-received by most commercial tenants and need to be handled sensitively and tactfully. Surrey Solicitors will provide advice and assist negotiation for during a rent review.

We can also provide an impartial mediation service if you should find yourself involved in a contested rent review situation. Mediation is proven to help maintain a positive relationship between commercial landlords, agents and tenants, and to save costs and time.



ACTING FOR TENANT

From lease renewals and extensions, to break clauses, exercising your rights, disclaimers, forfeiture or surrender of a lease, we use our litigation, negotiation and mediation skills to ensure that your case is dealt with swiftly, often avoiding the need for costly legal proceedings.


Dilapidations
Schedules of dilapidations are schedules detailing the repairs which are needed to a property under the terms of the lease. They are often the cause of commercial property disputes between landlords and tenants, particularly upon termination of the lease. Surrey Solicitors will use our skills to help you to resolve commercial dilapidations disputes.

Service charge and rent arrears disputes

We are well known for our ability to help clients resolve complex commercial property disputes arising from disputed service charges or rent. We can also provide advice and support on whether the landlord has followed the correct procedures for recovering commercial rent arrears.


Unlike some other law firms we can also offer a mediation service to help you to resolve the dispute quickly and inexpensively.


Rent Reviews

Although pretty much every lease will include them, rent reviews are rarely well-received by most commercial tenants and need to be handled sensitively and tactfully. Surrey Solicitors will provide advice and assist negotiation for during a rent review.

We can also provide an impartial mediation service if you should find yourself involved in a contested rent review situation. Mediation is proven to help maintain a positive relationship between commercial landlords, agents and tenants, and to save costs and time.