Search: Commercial property

Unforeseen consequences lead to court appearance

The careful drafting of documents is a necessity if disputes are to be avoided, as a recent dispute between a landlord and tenant shows (Spencer v Secretary of State for Defence).

Doubled small business rates relief applies for further year

A reminder for small businesses in England that the temporary doubling of small business rates relief, (already extended once, from September 2011 to March 2012), will now continue to apply until 31 March 2013.

‘I didn’t know what I was signing’ is a valid defence

A company director who was misled into signing a guarantee over a lease, when he thought he was merely witnessing his fellow director’s signature, has escaped liability under the guarantee.

Landlords can charge reasonable sum for consenting to sub-lease

Businesses seeking to sub-let premises must pay their landlord’s reasonable costs and expenses, even if there is nothing in the lease authorising the landlord to make such charges, or risk the landlord refusing to consent to the sub-letting (Holding And Management (Solitaire) Ltd v Norton and Bradmoss Ltd, Re 10 Meadow Court).

Deposit paid under ineffective agreement did not have to be repaid

A developer can keep a deposit paid by a potential purchaser, even though the agreement between them had no legal effect under property law rules, because they had agreed the deposit would be non-refundable, the Court of Appeal has recently ruled.

Thinking of leasing a shop or office?

Differences between a reasonable lease and a troublesome one

Tenant pays price for incomplete paperwork

Information withheld on land sale lets buyer get out of contract

Email exchanges can create contracts for sale of land

Pros and cons of green leases

Landlords have the option of negotiating a 'green lease' with tenants. Property lawyer, Shona Dunning, explores how this could make your property more marketable and reduce running costs.