Taking a commercial lease

When you take on a lease there is a lot to think about.

Where the lease has been properly set up, it is an incredibly valuable asset for you.  

However, traps and pitfalls are easily missed by the untrained eye.  Without proper advice you could find yourself with problems down the line, either because the lease favours your landlord and prejudices you or because legal rights and obligations are missing or defective.

Benefits of instructing Julie West Solicitors

Experience - the way English property law works means every commercial lease is different. Our commercial property solicitors have combined experience of over 100 years helping clients with leases used in an innumerable variety of situations and so we are able to spot whether overall the deal you are being offered is okay.

Attention to detail - we are trained to pay attention to detail; we will carefully consider the documentation to ensure it is accurate and implements the terms you have agreed. The landlord’s solicitor prepares the lease, and we’re there to make sure it works for you too.

Explanation - we will explain what the documents mean. We’ll tell you about any important implications that may be missed by the untrained eye, so that you are fully aware of what you are going into and are prepared for any hidden traps.

How it works

Process

Once you have made contact with us, spoken with your solicitor and decided to go ahead we will send you our welcome pack of paperwork to complete and return.  

1. Review and advise on any draft or final heads of terms.

2. On receiving the documentation, we:

   1. Investigate and report on the landlord’s title to grant the lease;

   2. Carefully review and deliver initial report on the draft lease, advising on terms, taking instructions, and proposing any amendments;

   3. Review replies to Commercial Property Standard Enquiries (CPSE);

   4. Raise any additional enquiries;

   5. Apply for searches, review and report on the results; and

   6. Propose, negotiate and agree amendments to the lease with the landlord’s or seller’s solicitors.

3. Once the documents are agreed, we check the engrossments (signature copies) of lease and supplementary documents and deliver final report to you, arrange for you to sign, carry out pre-completion searches and arrange completion.

4. Following completion, we check and scan the completed documents and deal with all post-completion formalities, including registering or noting the lease at Land Registry and complying with registration requirements in the lease.

5. The final step is for us to provide you with updated title information and any original documents for safekeeping and our closing advice upon archiving of your file.

meetings

You will always be asked if you would like to meet your solicitor.  Although a meeting is not a prerequisite to taking on the lease, if you have the time, there is no substitute for meeting with your solicitor to have a tactical discussion about your aims for the work.  

Your solicitor may be able to offer you an appointment out of usual office hours if it helps you.  Our meeting room and client facilities have level access.  Our allocated office parking is right outside the office door.  If you are unable to make it to our office, your solicitor will come and see you at home.

Timescale

The completion date is negotiated between the parties and finally agreed after documents and enquiries have been settled.  Generally, we expect completion to happen within three months of you instructing us.

Fee list for taking a lease

Included in our fees

All retainers include:

1. A meeting to talk through your circumstances, timeframe and the options available to you.

2. Advice from a specialist commercial property solicitor tailored to your needs and delivered in a friendly and straightforward way.

3. Electronic copies of the completed documents for your records.

Telephone us on +44 (0)1372 383273 or complete our online enquiry form to make contact with your solicitor