Lease Extension Solicitors

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Negotiating a lease extension is crucial to maximising the value of a property and getting the best deal on costs, charges and premiums. Having experienced lease renewal solicitors in your corner ensures that your best interests are protected and that you get the most out of your commercial property. We support all our clients with honest, reliable and straightforward advice, empowering you to make the right choices about your property.

We understand the importance of finding an efficient solution to all lease extension matters, as unwanted legal issues can cost you time and money. Our team of commercially focused lawyers work swiftly to obtain a lease renewal and resolve leasehold property disputes if they arise.

The area of commercial law related to lease extensions can be complex and confusing. To get specialist advice from our lease renewal solicitors in Birmingham, London and Northampton, send us your query at info@witansolicitors.co.uk and schedule your initial, no-obligation consultation. 

What is a Lease Extension and Do I need One?

A leasehold property is leased by the freeholder (landlord) to the leaseholder (tenant), typically for 5 – 25 years. When that lease expires, the property is returned to the freeholder, so it’s important that a lease extension is obtained before that happens. 

Our lease renewal solicitors can guide you through making the important decisions – from when to apply for a lease extension to whether to choose a statutory or voluntary lease extension and how to handle a freeholder who refuses to offer reasonable renewal conditions.

Our Services

We have over 100 years of handling lease renewal negotiations while protecting the best interests of our clients. We offer expert advice both to leaseholders and freeholders who are looking to extend a commercial lease or obtain a Security of Tenure. 

Security of Tenure

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, a commercial property tenant has the right to request a lease extension under the same terms and conditions (except rent) at the end of a lease. This right is automatically granted unless it has been explicitly stated otherwise in your lease agreement. 

If the landlord opposes the lease renewal, they could serve the tenant with a Section 25 Notice within 6-12 months before the date when they would like the tenancy to end. If the tenant doesn’t respond, the tenancy will end as requested by the landlord. If they do contest the end of the lease, the landlord will have to go to court to win the right to end the lease.

Our commercial lease renewal solicitors in London, Birmingham and Northampton can provide legal advice on the options available to object to a lease extension under the Security of Tenure, as well as the necessary steps to “contract out” of the Security of Tenure as part of a new lease agreement. 

Commercial Lease Renewal

If when signing your commercial lease, you had agreed to opt out of Sections 24-28 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, then Security of Tenure won’t apply and your commercial lease will not renew automatically. 

If the tenant wishes to renew, they would have to send a Section 26 Notice to the landlord within 6-12 months before the end of their lease. The notice should outline their desire to renew the lease, the desired duration of the new lease and any changes to the current lease they would like to implement. The landlord will then have two months to respond to the notice. 

For the Section 26 notice to be rejected, a landlord must present valid reasons for declining the lease renewal. Our commercial property law experts can advise you on the necessary legal steps to take when you are dealing with a commercial lease renewal outside of Security of Tenure. 

Forfeiture of a Commercial Lease

If you are a landlord of a commercial property and you would like to evict a tenant, you may be able to do so if the tenant has breached the terms of the lease. Actions that could give you ground to end a lease agreement early include:

• Unpaid rent
• Unlawful use of the property
• Damages done to the property 

To be able to regain possession of your property before a lease expires, you must follow the legal procedure for forfeiture of the lease, starting by serving a Section 146 Notice to the tenant. Our commercial lease renewal team can work with you to guide you through the process.

Why Choose Witan Solicitors?

• 100+ Years of Experience: Our commercial lease renewal solicitors have over a century of combined experience 
• Established in 2014: We have an excellent reputation and a track record of winning cases for our clients for nearly a decade
• Legal 500 Recognised: Our Solicitors have been recognised in the Legal 500
• Industry Experts: We always stay informed about changes to commercial property law to give our clients the best advice 
• Multilingual Support: Our team speaks over 10 languages offering top-notch legal advice to international clients 
• Commercial lease experts near you: Based in Birmingham, London and Northampton, our lease renewal solicitors are strategically located across the country

Still unsure whether Witan Solicitors are the right fit for you? Talk to one of our lease renewal and extension lawyers today in a no-obligation consultation, free of charge. Get in touch at info@witansolicitors.co.uk today.

Other Commercial Property Services

Our commercial lease renewal solicitors are part of our commercial property team specialise in commercial property dispute resolution and also offer advice regarding commercial property matters, such as:

• Dilapidation Claims
• Forfeiture and Possession
• Rent and Service Charge Recovery
• Professional Negligence (Surveyor)
• Defective Premise And Housing Disrepair

FAQ

What is Security of Tenure?

Security of Tenure is the right to renew a commercial property lease automatically which is granted to the tenant by default, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the commercial lease agreement. 

How do I know when my commercial lease is due to expire?

If not otherwise stated in the lease agreement, Security of Tenure applies and your commercial lease will renew automatically. If you have contracted out of the Security of Tenure, then the end of the lease will be specified in the agreement. 

If you are not sure whether Security of Tenure applies to your lease, you should speak to a commercial lease renewal solicitor who can review your documents and offer advice. 

Can a landlord refuse to renew a commercial lease?

Yes, the landlord has the right to refuse a commercial lease renewal, even if Security of Tenure applies when the tenant has breached the lease agreement or if they have caused damages to the property. 

If the landlord wishes to refuse to renew a commercial lease where Security of Tenure applies, they must send a Section 25 notice to the tenant within 6-12 months before they would like them to leave the property. 

What if I have Security of Tenure but don’t want to stay in the property?

If you would like to leave a commercial property after the lease expires, the landlord doesn’t have the right to stop you. However, you will be required to send them notice of your intent to leave within 6-12 months before you wish to end the tenancy.