Commercial leases are long documents full of obligations that are easy to misunderstand. As a tenant, you might not realise you are responsible for all repair and maintenance costs, or that you have personally guaranteed the lease. As a landlord, you might not have adequate protection against problem tenants or clear recourse if rent is not paid. For just £99, get a complete review so you understand exactly what you are committing to — both the financial obligations and the practical responsibilities.
You are probably in one of these scenarios
The lease says you are responsible for "all repairs and maintenance," but it does not clearly define what that means. Are you responsible for structural repairs? The roof? The building systems? You are worried you are taking on far more than you expect. A review breaks down the repair obligations and clarifies what you are responsible for.
Your lease contains a break clause that lets you exit early, but the terms are complex. You have to give notice by a specific date, the property must be in a certain condition, and you have to pay a break premium. You are unsure whether you will actually be able to break out and what it will cost. A review explains the break clause and what you need to do to exercise it successfully.
Your lease contains a rent review clause that is due to take effect in six months. The new rent will be indexed to inflation, or to market rent, or to some other benchmark. You do not fully understand how the new rent will be calculated or what you can do to challenge it. A review explains the rent review mechanism and your options.
As a landlord, the lease contains a personal guarantee where the tenant personally guarantees their payment and performance. You are not sure what this protects you, what the tenant's exposure is, or what happens if the tenant company fails but the individual is insolvent. A review explains personal guarantees and what protection they actually provide.
Your tenant is refusing to pay the current rent, claiming the property does not meet the lease standards for habitability or functionality. You believe your obligations are limited, but you are not sure what the lease actually says. A review clarifies your obligations and your tenant's rights.
Everything you need to understand your contract
Clarity on who is responsible for what — structural repairs, roof, building systems, external walls, and internal finishes
When rent is due, how it is calculated, what happens if it is late, and any review mechanisms
How and when you can exit the lease, what notice is required, what condition the property must be in, and what it will cost
Who is responsible for building insurance, contents insurance, utility bills, and council tax
What condition you must leave the property in, what deductions the landlord can make, and your exposure to repair bills
Clauses that are likely to be disputed, your protection against problem tenants, and practical suggestions
These are the risks that keep people awake at night
If you are a tenant and the lease makes you responsible for "all repairs and maintenance" without limitation, you could be liable for major structural repairs that cost tens of thousands of pounds. A tenant discovered that structural repairs to the building were their responsibility under the lease, costing them £80,000. A clearer lease would have made structural repairs the landlord's responsibility.
A break clause might require the property to be in "perfect condition" or require repairs to be completed within an impossible timeframe. Even though you want to exit, you cannot break out because you cannot satisfy the conditions. You are trapped in a lease you do not want. A landlord might refuse to allow the break because of minor repairs the tenant did not complete.
A rent review indexed to market values might result in a rent increase far larger than you anticipated. If the property is in an area experiencing rapid gentrification, your rent could triple. You might no longer be able to afford to operate your business, but you have no option to break out. Understanding the rent review mechanism upfront is critical.
As a landlord, a personal guarantee makes the individual tenant personally responsible for rent and performance. But if the tenant is insolvent, the guarantee is worthless. If the tenant company fails, you have to pursue the individual tenant personally — which is expensive and often fruitless. A fairer structure includes additional security, like a deposit or guarantee from a parent company.
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A Full Repairing and Insuring lease makes the tenant responsible for all repairs, maintenance, and insurance. This is very favourable to the landlord and exposes the tenant to significant costs, particularly for structural or major repairs. Many commercial leases are FRI, but tenants should understand the exposure and negotiate limitations (like excluding structural repairs or capping repair costs).
If you cannot afford the increased rent after a review, check your lease for a break clause — you might be able to exit. If there is no break clause, you could try to negotiate with the landlord to stay at the old rate or to phase in the increase. If neither works, you might need to consider relocating. Understanding your options upfront helps you plan.
This depends on the lease, but typically you must return the property in the same condition as it was at the start, with normal wear and tear expected. The landlord can make deductions from your deposit for any damage or repairs needed. Review the end-of-lease obligations in your lease carefully — some landlords are aggressive about charging dilapidations (end-of-lease repair costs).
A deposit that covers at least three months' rent, a personal guarantee if the tenant is a limited company, evidence of business insurance, and evidence of financial stability. The personal guarantee should be personal to the tenant director, not just to the company. Periodic check-ins on the property condition help prevent surprise dilapidations claims at the end.
Many commercial leases are presented as standard, but key terms are negotiable. Tenants can often negotiate repair obligations, break clauses, rent review mechanisms, and break fees. Landlords can negotiate deposit amounts, guarantee terms, and rights of access. Never assume the lease is non-negotiable — always negotiate key terms that affect your financial exposure.
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