Commercial property · for landlords
Granting a lease
We draft a lease that reflects the deal you agreed and protects your property and your rental income, then handle the negotiation and completion with the tenant’s solicitor.
Depends on the property and the terms agreed.
What’s included
- Drafting the lease from the agreed heads of terms
- Replying to the tenant’s enquiries, with your help
- Negotiating the lease with the tenant’s solicitor
- Contracting out of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, where agreed
- Rent deposit deed and guarantee, where needed
- Checking for any lender’s consent you need to let the property
- Completing the lease and sending the tenant’s documents
Not included
- An Energy Performance Certificate (you need a valid one before letting)
- Agents’ fees and marketing
- Advice on VAT and the option to tax (we flag where you need it)
How it works
What happens, step by step
- 01
Heads of terms
You agree the main terms with the tenant, often through agents. We check them before we start drafting.
- 02
Drafting
We prepare the draft lease and send it, with your title and replies to enquiries, to the tenant’s solicitor.
- 03
Negotiation
We negotiate the tenant’s proposed changes, taking your instructions on anything commercial.
- 04
Pre-completion
We deal with any lender’s consent, the 1954 Act contracting-out process and any rent deposit or guarantee.
- 05
Completion
The lease completes, the tenant moves in and the rent starts as agreed.
What we look out for
The terms that matter most
Repairs and service charge
Making sure the costs of repairing and running the property fall where you agreed.
Security of tenure
Whether the tenant will have a right to renew, or will contract out of it before the lease is signed.
Rent review
A clear mechanism for reviewing the rent during the term.
Tenant covenant
Rent deposits and guarantees to protect your income if the tenant can’t pay.
Energy efficiency
Most commercial lettings need an Energy Performance Certificate meeting the minimum standard.
Your lender
Many mortgages need the lender’s consent before you grant a lease.
Questions
Granting a lease: your questions
The agreed heads of terms, your title, a valid Energy Performance Certificate and, if the property is mortgaged, your lender’s consent. We’ll tell you anything else your property needs.
Contracting out means the tenant has no automatic right to renew at the end of the lease, which gives you more control. It must be done before the lease is signed, using a formal notice and declaration. We’ll explain the pros and cons for your property.
Each side usually pays its own, but the heads of terms sometimes say the tenant contributes to yours. We’ll follow what was agreed.
It depends mainly on how quickly the tenant’s solicitor responds and how much is negotiated. With agreed heads of terms and a cooperative tenant, a new letting can often complete within a few weeks.
Get a quote
Tell us about the lease
Send us the details, including any heads of terms or draft lease. We’ll confirm the cost before we start. Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm.
