7. Landlord's Remedies and Lease Termination Flashcards
Who can the landlord look to when there has been a breach of the tenant’s covenants for a remedy?
- current tenant
- guarantor (if available)
- former tenants (and their guarantors)
What is the liability of the original tenant in old leases?
The original tenant remains liable for the covenants under the lease for the full term, even after assigning it to another tenant.
In addition to the current tenant, who else can the landlord sue in privity of contract?
- the original tenant; AND
*intervening tenants if they provided a direct covenant on the assignment.
What is the liability of the original tenant in new leases?
the original tenant is released from liability
What is an old lease?
Leases granted before 1 January 1996
What is a new lease?
Leases granted on or after 1 January 1996
How can a landlord compensate for the lack of control over original tenants in new leases?
Landlord is allowed to ask for certain circumstances and conditions that must be met to give their consent to an assignment - e.g. AGA
What is an authorised guarantee agreement (AGA)?
a promise by the outgoing tenant that it will be liable for any breaches of the covenants in the lease by the incoming assignee.
How long does an AGA last for?
only lasts for the duration of that assignee’s ownership of the lease
For non-payment of rent, what is the first thing the landlord has to check?
- A covenant to pay rent in the lease
- That the tenant has failed to pay by the due date
What are the four remedies for non-payment of rent?
- Action in debt
- Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR)
- Pursue guarantors and/or rent deposit
- Forfeiture
What is an action in debt?
- Non-payment of rent is a debt
- Landlord can recover debt through court
What is the limitation period for an action in debt for rent recovery?
6 years
What is the effect of a CRAR?
Permits the landlord to enter the property and seize and sell goods belonging to the current tenant
What does the remedy of CRAR apply to ?
commercial premises only
What are the procedural rules for CRAR that the landlord must follow?
- 7 days’ notice
- Use an enforcement agency
- Not allowed to remove certain goods - up to £1350 + necessary for tenant’s business.
- Can only take items owned by tenant
If the tenant does not pay the arrears after being notified of the landlord’s intention to use a CRAR, what can the landlord do?
Can sell the goods, provided:
* this is done at a public auction
*tenant is given at least 7 clear days’ notice of the sale
What is CRAR available for and when does it become available?
- In relation to rent paid for possession and use of premises (not arrears of other payments)
- At least 7 days’ rent must be outstanding
Is arrears of insurance rent recoverable using CRAR?
No - even if reserved as rent in the lease
When will a landlord require a guarantor?
If they have reservations about the tenant’s ability to pay maintain rental payments without financial difficulty
What is the effect of requiring a guarantor?
A guarantor of a current tenant may be sued in the same way as the current tenant
How can a guarantor be obliged to pay outstanding rent if the tenant does not pay?
Guarantee in writing obliges guarantor to:
* pay outstanding rent and payments
* to remedy and indemnify the landlord against loss caused by breach
How does the liability of a guarantor differ between old and new leases?
Old Lease:
* extends through the duration of the lease
* regardless of assignment
New Lease:
* guarantor automatically released on assignment by guaranteed tenant
* may be liable if AGA entered into
How can a landlord pursue a former tenant or the guarantor of a former tenant, whether under a new or old lease, for non-payment of rent under s17 of the Landlord and
Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995?
- Landlord serves a ‘default notice’ for a ‘fixed charge’ recovery from former tenants or guarantors.
- The notice must be issued within six months of the current tenant’s breach.
- The landlord doesn’t need to start legal proceedings; the default notice serves as notice of the claim.
What is an overriding lease?
a headlease between the landlord and the former tenant/guarantor slotted in between the landlord and the defaulting tenant, making the former tenant/guarantor the immediate landlord of the defaulting tenant.
Where the landlord serves a default notice on a former tenant or its guarantor, what action can that person take to regain control over the property?
The person can regain control by paying the sum claimed under the default notice and then calling for an ‘overriding lease,’ essentially becoming the immediate landlord of the defaulting tenant in a headlease arrangement with the landlord.
How can a landlord pursue a rent deposit as a remedy?
Require the tenant to deposit a cash sum as security for payment of the rent and performance of the tenant’s covenants contained in the lease.
What is the usual amount of a rent deposit?
6-12 months’ rent due under the lease
What is a rent deposit deed?
Sets out the circumstances which entitle the landlord to withdraw money from the rent deposit and the point at which it is repayable to the tenant (eg on an approved assignment).
When can a landlord withdraw money from the rent deposit?
As soon as the tenant is in breach of a relevant covenant in the lease
What can limit the landlord from withdrawing money from the rent deposit?
If they have breached the rent deposit deed themselves.
What are general requirements to be included in the rent deposit deed?
- require the tenant to top the deposit up
- the rent deposit balance is returned to the tenant at the end of the term or on an earlier lawful assignment.
What is the remedy of forfeiture?
- Bring the lease to an end
- Enables the landlord to gain vacant possession of the property
What must the lease contain to be able to use forfeiture?
a forfeiture clause
Does a forfeiture clause have to be labelled as ‘forfeiture clause’?
No can be labelled as ‘provisos’ or ‘re-entry’
When will forfeiture become applicable?
The lease will specify how many days must have been outstanding before forfeiture can take place.
What are the two ways a landlord could forfeit a lease?
- By taking possession through ‘peaceable re-entry’; OR
- By obtaining a court order
Can the tenant respond to forfeiture?
Yes, the tenant can:
* apply for relief, but it’s the
* court’s discretion to allow the lease to continue
What is the condition that the tenant must meet to apply for relief from forfeiture?
Paid all arrears and costs
How may a landlord waive their right to forfeit?
by carrying out any act that demonstrates an intention to continue the landlord-tenant relationship - e.g. accepting/demanding rent after breach has arisen
What are the four remedies available to a landlord for breach of repair covenant?
- Specific performance
- Damages
- Self-help (Jervis v Harris) clause
- Forfeiture
What is the effect of the equitable remedy of specific performance?
It forces the tenant to comply with the positive covenants that they are in breach of.
When will the court grant specific performance as a relief?
Only when other remedies are not appropriate - no forfeiture or self-help clause and damages are not adequate
When are damages available for breach of covenant?
always
What are the two statutory provision that may mean that the landlord cannot recover full damages as a remedy for breach of repair covenant?
- Section 18 LTA 1927
- Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938
What is the effect of Section 18 LTA 1927 on damages in a disrepair context?
limits the amount of damages to the amount by which the landlord’s reversion has diminished in value as a result of the disrepair
Why might relying on s18 LTA to recover disrepair be unattractive to the landlord?
because the diminution in capital value of the building attributable to the disrepair may be less than the cost of the repairs.
What does the Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938 apply to?
Applies to leases granted for more than seven years with more than three years left to run
If the Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938 applies and the landlord want to sue for damages, what is the special procedure that must be followed and the possible situations that may arise?
- Notice must be served on the tenant
- Tenant has a right to serve counter notice within 28 days
- If counter notice served, landlord cannot proceed without leave of the court.
What is a self-help (Jervis v Harris) clause?
Contractual remedy allowing the landlord to recover the costs of repairs as a debt and not a damages claim.
What is the benefit of a self-help clause?
landlord is able to avoid statutory limitation on pursuing damages claims imposed by the 1927 and 1938 Acts.
What does a self-help clause allow the landlord to do?
Can enter the property to check compliance with the tenant’s repair covenant.
What can a landlord do if a breach is found after exercise their right to inspect the property under a self-help clause?
Landlord can serve notice specifying the works required to remedy the breach
What can a landlord do if a tenant fails to start repairs within a specified period after landlord has served noticed under self-help clause?
- may enter and carry out repairs
- recover costs from the tenant as a debt
What is the benefit of a self-help clause converting a claim for damages into a claim for debt?
Avoids statutory restrictions on recoverability.
What is the procedure for forfeiture for breaches other than non-payment of rent as laid down in s146 of the Law of Property Act 1925?
Landlord must serve a s 146 notice on the tenant
What does a s146 notice served on the tenant do?
- specify the breach
- require the breach to be remedied within a reasonable time if it is capable of remedy
- require the tenant to pay compensation for the breach.
If a tenant does not comply with a s146 notice what can the landlord do?
Forfeit the lease by:
* peaceable re-entry; OR
* a court order
What special 146 notice is needed in cases of disrepair when the lease was originally for seven years or more and has at least three years left unexpired or forfeiture?
Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938 applies:
* requiring the Section 146 notice to include notification of the tenant’s right to serve a counter notice within 28 days.
* If the tenant serves a counter notice, the landlord can only proceed to forfeit with the court’s permission.
How is forfeiture used as a remedy for breach of other covenants (not rent or repair)?
Purpose: Terminating the lease.
Condition: No need for the Section 146 notice to include the tenant’s right to serve a counter notice.
How is an injunction used as a remedy for breach of other covenants (not rent or repair)?
- Sought for breach of a negative covenant (e.g., changing property use) OR
- To prevent an anticipated breach (e.g., unauthorized assignment).
How is specific performance used as a remedy for breach of other covenants (not rent or repair)?
Conditions for Applicability:
* Positive obligation is precise.
* Ongoing supervision is not required.
* Damages are inadequate as a remedy