Commercial Property & Business Law Blogs

On 20 March 2020 the UK government announced that all pubs and restaurants were to close with immediate effect, staggering business owners up and down the country. Since then, many of these businesses have adapted to provide ‘socially distanced’ takeaway food whilst they remain otherwise closed to the public. Can I Operate A Takeaway From […]

As the government guidance on the coronavirus continues to evolve this blog addresses some of the difficulties facing landlords and tenants. It is important that parties remember that business interruption for a tenant means business interruption for a landlord and it is imperative that parties conduct themselves reasonably when attempting to resolve any issues may […]

Businesses across England welcomed a provision in the Coronavirus Act 2020 that Landlords would be unable to force evictions over non-payment of rent. For many tenants, especially those who were forced to cease trading, such as gyms, pubs and restaurants, this was taken as an informal ‘rent holiday’ measure option. Landlords cannot ‘forfeit’ (terminate) a […]

FRUSTRATED? You might be…   Here we go again.  Legal frustration was in the media during the Brexit saga and now it’s likely to surface another time.   The Law of Frustration ‘Frustration’ can be a legal argument to bring a contract to an early end, without facing sanctions for breach of contract. A party […]

If you were in the process of buying a property, would you be concerned if you were told that the same firm of solicitors was also acting for the seller? Or perhaps you are wondering whether it is possible to speed up the process and save money at the same time by using the same […]

One option to exit a commercial lease is to exercise a contractual break clause. This month, I touch on some common conditions and related pitfalls. What is a break clause? A break clause is a clause that can be drafted into a fixed-term lease. It gives the landlord or tenant (or both) the power to […]

In an ideal world, investment property commercial leases would run the length of their terms and renewal would be in each parties’ interests. The commercial reality is that businesses can struggle and fail, or they may rapidly outgrow their premises. In today’s climate businesses seek more flexibility. Commercial property requirements are changing. Demand for shorter […]

The Tenant Fees Act came into force on the 1st June 2019, and applies to tenancies entered into on or after that date. It controls what charges Landlords and Letting Agencies can legitimately charge tenants who are wanting to rent a property. Whilst the Act hasn’t eliminated charges completely, it sets out very clearly what […]

  As I write this, I’m looking at a 10 day weather forecast for Derby that shows rain, rain and more rain. Our office at St Michaels on Queen Street is just metres away from extensive new flood defences along the banks of the Derwent.  Climate Crisis is in the headlines and local activists from […]

  Midsummer’s Day – 24th June While last Friday was the Summer Solstice and celebrated by many, Monday 24 June is officially Midsummer’s Day. One thing I’ve always loved about living in England is the difference between the changing seasons.  I love to be outdoors and each season is my favourite while we’re in it, […]