6. Leases Flashcards
What two types of leases are registrable?
- Lease granted for greater than seven years
- Lease assigned with greater than seven years remaining
An oral tenancy is valid if for less than how long?
Three years
In a long term lease, what is required for the rent to be adjusted?
The lease must provide for it, i.e., it must contain a Rent Review Clause
What is a reversionary lease?
A lease under which the tenant does not take possession until some time in the future. For example, it is possible to enter a lease today which is to take effect, in two years’ time.
What is the maximum period between the lease being entered into and the tenant taking possession for a reversionary lease to be valid?
21 years. Comparable to the perpetuity timeframe.
If there is no notice provision in a periodic tenancy, how much notice must be given to terminate it?
An amount of time equivalent to one period in the tenancy
In an implied periodic tenancy, how is the period determined?
Based on the intervals between the payment of rent.
If the tenant pays a yearly rent, then the courts will normally infer a yearly tenancy, even if rent is actually paid weekly or monthly. If the rent is expressed to be paid weekly or monthly, then the tenancy will be a weekly or monthly tenancy as the case may be.
What arises and what does not arise if an owner of land allows a buyer to take possession of land before a written agreement is entered into?
A tenancy at will (not a legal interest) may arise, but no estate in land is created
In the case where a tenancy at will arises, what is the effect of the prospective buyer in possession attempting to assign?
It operates as notice to terminate the tenancy, as soon as the tenant notifies the landlord of such
In the case where such a tenancy at will arises, what is the effect of the prospective buyer in possession beginning to pay rent?
The court to treat it as a periodic tenancy unless there is very clear evidence that the parties intend the tenancy at will to continue
In what two situations is a lease void for uncertainty?
- A term is uncertain
- Starting/ending date (if fixed) is uncertain/not knowable
What two things are required to create a legal short lease of three years or less in writing or orally without a deed?
- Tenant takes possession of leased premises
- They pay at least market rate rent and are not required to pay any upfront sum or premium
Even though a short lease can be created without a deed, what is the only way one can be assigned, even if created without a deed?
By deed
Even if a lease is not created by deed and is not an eligible short lease, equity will recognise such as a contract for the disposition of land if what two conditions are met?
- Lease in writing incorporating all terms expressly agreed
- Signed by all parties
Therefore this exception does not apply to oral leases
Where equity recognises such a contract, what is the usual remedy if the other party breaches?
Specific performance
What is required before an equitable lease will bind a purchaser of the landlord’s reversion?
Registration in the appropriate way, depending on whether the land is unregistered or registered
How is an equitable lease which was recognised due to the failed creation of a legal lease appropriately registered in (1) the unregistered system and (2) the registered system?
Unregistered: Class C(iv) estate contract land charge
Registered: Notice on the charges register
Without this protection, a purchaser of the landlord’s interest for value will not be bound by the equitable tenancy.
What is the consequence if an equitable lease is not registered?
A bona fide purchaser of the landlord’s interest for value will not be bound
How is the situation different if the tenant of the equitable lease has begun to pay rent?
As discussed, the court will likely imply a periodic tenancy, and because this is a legal interest it will bind a purchaser of unregistered land and will be an interest that overrides first registration and a registered disposition
What is a licence and what does it not create?
A personal right to use land in some way, and creates neither an estate nor an interest in land.
What are the three characteristics of a lease, and what is likely created if any is missing?
- Exclusive possession
- Fixed or periodic time certain
- In consideration of a premium (lump sum or periodic payments)
In case any of the above are missing then it is likely a Licence.
What is the covenant of quiet enjoyment?
An obligation imposed on the landlord to not interfere in any way with the tenant’s enjoyment of the property nor allow the lawful activities of other tenants to do so