Commercial Lease Solicitors — Expert Legal Guidance for Your Business Premises

While you can legally negotiate a commercial lease without a solicitor, doing so carries significant risk. Commercial leases are complex documents — often running to 60 pages or more — containing obligations that can cost your business dearly if misunderstood. A specialist commercial lease solicitor identifies clauses that may seem innocuous but carry substantial financial implications, such as full repairing obligations, automatic rent uplifts, and restrictions on assignment. The cost of instructing a solicitor is typically a fraction of what a poorly negotiated lease can cost you over its term.

A Schedule of Dilapidations is a list of alleged breaches of repair, decoration, and reinstatement obligations served by a landlord — typically near the end of a commercial lease. It can run to tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds. Yes, our commercial lease solicitors routinely challenge these claims. We assess whether each item falls within the tenant's covenant, whether the landlord's claimed cost is reasonable, and whether Section 18(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 caps the damages at the diminution in the property's value. In many cases, we reduce the landlord's demand by 40–60%.

Timelines vary depending on complexity and the responsiveness of the other side. A straightforward new lease of standard commercial premises typically completes within 4–6 weeks from receipt of draft papers. More complex transactions — such as those involving substantial tenant fit-out, complex alienation provisions, or multi-let buildings — may take 8–12 weeks. Your solicitor will give you a realistic timeline after the initial consultation and will proactively chase the other side to prevent unnecessary delays.

We offer fixed-fee pricing for most commercial lease transactions, so you know the cost before we begin. Fees depend on the lease complexity, the rental value, and the extent of negotiation required. As a guide, a standard new lease of commercial premises typically falls between £1,500–£3,500 plus VAT. We will always provide a written fee quote following the initial consultation. There are no hidden extras — disbursements such as Land Registry fees and search costs are itemised separately at cost.

Yes. If your landlord has served a Section 25 notice opposing renewal, or is threatening forfeiture, you need immediate legal advice. Our commercial lease solicitors can assess whether the landlord's grounds are valid, advise on your security of tenure rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, and negotiate — or litigate — to protect your position. Time is often critical in these situations, so we offer urgent same-day consultations.

Yes. Our solicitor team has extensive experience on both sides of commercial lease transactions. Acting for landlords, we draft leases that protect your investment and ensure enforceable covenants. For tenants, we negotiate to soften onerous obligations and secure maximum flexibility. Understanding both perspectives gives our commercial lease solicitors a strategic advantage — we know what the other side will and will not accept, which leads to faster, more effective negotiations.