Landlord and Tenant - Summary of Experience Flashcards
What do you understand a conditional break clause to be?
- T can only break if pre-conditions are met e.g. rent, vacant possession, notice given
What is section 39?
Saving for compulsory acquisitions
What aspects of a property need to be kept in repair?
Those stated within the tenant’s lease
What is standard amount of assignee business profit LL will look for before giving consent to assign?
3X annual rent and other payments due under lease (SC, RATES, INSURANCE)
What does the LL and T Covenants Act 1995 do?
Provides Authorised Guarantee Agreements
- Abolished privity of contract
Section 17 - Serve on guarantor within 6 months of non-payment of rent and guarantor has to pay arrears and can take overriding lease
In what situation would a tenant be recommended to serve a section 26 notice?
- If T believed lease was overrented to get lower rent on new lease
- To sign a new lease (even if overrented) - To renew
How long is a calderbank offer available for acceptance?
21 days (Unless another Calderbank offer is made)
What could have been the options available to you under the L and T act 1954 at Garratt Lane?
- To serve an interim schedule of dilapidations as more than 3 years left on the lease (claim damages)
- Forfeit the lease S.146
- Exercise right of entry to repair (Jervis v Harris)
When was the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 last amended?
1st June 2004
Is the hypothetical term more advantageous to the LL or T?
Depends on length of hypothetical term
- Longer is better for tenant as = lower rent
- Shorter is better for landlord as = Higher rent (More like today’s market)
How is interim rent assessed?
Under Section 24(a) - It is the market rent for period from expiry of S.25/2.26 notice (Market rent 6-12 months ago)
Rent under new tenancy unless stated so and under same terms as prior tenancy
Which lease terms affect the rent at review?
- Rent review clause (Definition of rent + assumptions/disregards
- Review frequency (more frequent = lower rent)
- Repairing liability, user/alienation restrictions, insurance provision
- More flexible lease is higher rent (in general)
- Tenancies in 1954 act higher rent as T has security upon lease expiry
Why would a LL give 12 months notice for s.25 when they can give 6 months?
- If the unit is overrented as you get 6 months extra rent
- If you are confident the tenant is leaving it gives more time to find a new tenant
What does Jervis v Harris case mean?
- LL undertakes repairs in prop and LL can recharge T (Dilapidations)
- T say LL should have served with s.146 notice rather than suing for damages
- Claim for debt not damages - avoids legislation
A lease of a shop property is due to expire in 12 months time. You are instructed for the first time by the LL to negotiate a new lease with the T. How would you deal with this instruction?
1) Confirmed with my client 12 months before expiry - They noted that they would like to proceed conversations re renewal
2) Initially reviewed lease and inspected the unit - Confirmed no breaches evident
3) Serve friendly notice (prop, rent, terms)
4) Enter negotiation - Confirm on this
5) Sign new lease (start date year after) - Agree with solicitors
What is included within a Calderbank letter/offer?
- Unconditional written offer to settle RR
- Reasonable proposal regarding costs incurred up to date of the offer
- Time within which the other party must accept the offer by (Usually 21 days)
- Statement that is made ‘without prejudice save as to costs’
What is meant by the term ‘time of the essence’
Although generally not the case, it states strict timescales that need to be adhered to
What is the hypothetical term?
Term to be valued in the rent review clause
EITHER
1) Term equal to unexpired term at review
OR
2) Assumed hypothetical term
Valuer must decide whether a tenant would pay higher or lower rent based on hypothetical lease
If you manage a property that is going to be redeveloped soon, which options are available to you to generate some rental income?
Depends on letting length (2 options)
1) Can grant short-term tenancy under S.43 (Not protected by act)
2) Can grant 1+ year tenancy and contract our from S.24-28
What is section 40?
Duty to give information
- L or T can request info within last 2 years of term
- Replies must be within a month
What is the deeming provision in a rent review clause?
Sets out what should happen if a counter-notice is not served within time limits prescribed by the lease.
What is the purpose of a Calderbank letter/offer?
Procedure to save client costs (ONLY used when there is an arbitrator)
‘unequivocal offer to settle save as to costs;
Give some examples of where it was held in court that a break notice was invalid?
Osborne Assets Ltd v Britannia Life Ltd 1997
- T due to paint X3 coats every 5 years
- Invoices showed only X2 coats
- Couldn’t break
Riverside Park vs NHS Services
- 10 year lease - break conditional on vacant possession
- T didn’t remove demountable office partitions
- Break notice invalid
What makes a S.146 notice valid?
- Specify breach of covenant
- Require tenant to remedy breach
- Give tenant reasonable time to remedy the breach
- Require tenant to monetise the breach if necessary
Which assumptions are usually made at rent review?
- Vacant Possession
- Property fit for immediate occupation and use
- T has complied with terms of existing lease
- Property is available to let on open market by willing LL and willing T at market rent
- Property may be used for any purpose permitted under the terms of the lease
Explain what action a tenant should take if there are 6 months of the lease remaining and they want to vacate at expiry (no s.25 has been served)?
- T can hand back keys on last day of term
- T can also stay (hold over) as per act
- T should ideally give minimum 3 months notice
- If T in occupation 1 day after expiry also must give 3 months notice
What is a section 25 notice?
Notice serviced by LL to tenant to terminate the lease at its contractual expiry:
- LL may want possession
- LL may want new tenancy (Serve notice with certain terms or s.30 served to object tenant having new lease)
How is compensation for Ts improvements calculated?
Lower value of:
- Addition in value as a result of improvement
- Cost of doing repairs MINUS costs of disrepair
What is section 36?
Carrying out of order for new tenancy
- LL bound to grant new lease on terms determined by court
- T can apply to have court order revoked within 14 days
What are the usual disregards?
- T previous occupation
- Goodwill
- Certain improvements carried out by T
- Licence to sell intoxicating liquor if licence belongs to tenant
What factors affect value in a lease?
- rent
- term
- L and T act 1954 or not
- Repairing clause - e.g. more repair = lower value
- Alienation provision
What are the key elements of a rent review clause?
1) Who can instigate RR (LL or T or either)
2) May mention LL is to give notice and T may be able to serve counter-notice
3) If agreement isn’t made, it will state how rent can be determined
4) Machinery, basis of value, means of settling dispute (ALL OF ABOVE)
5) If time is of the essence (it isnt if its not mentioned)
What can a licence be granted for?
- Car park
- Food van
- Pavement licence (outside pubs)
- Outside seating (restaurants)
- Grazing horses in field
How can a rent review be resolved if both LL and T can’t agree?
3rd party - Arbitrator or Independent Expert (Depending on what lease says)
What is the difference between a lease and a licence?
Lease = Fixed term/periodic and gives T exclusive right of possession
Licence = Gives permission for someone to do something on owners land which would otherwise constitute as trespass
Please can you take me through the receiving of the break notice at Unit 6, Merton Road and the steps you undertook once it was received?
1) Break notice was received by LL
2) Reviewed lease - check conditions required for validity (all payments to be made/vacant possession) - Confirmed position with solicitors
4) Findings relayed to my client and I confirmed the break should be accepted subject to the preconditions being met
3) I attended on the break date and confirmed conditions had been satisfied - Took keys from tenant and break was activated
Can you take me through your rent review at Croxley Park?
1) Received instruction
2) Analysed rent review clause + other lease terms (repairing obligation, insurance etc) - OPEN MARKET
3) Inspect and measure unit in line with GIA
4) Comparables gathered to determine MR
5) Presented to client - approved
6) Presented to T with rationale - Negotiated
7) Agreed with sols RR memorandum then signed
What is an authorised guarantee agreement?
Agreement placing obligations on the outgoing tenant to guarantee performance of covenants
When is the best time to serve the section 25 notice: 12 months or 6 months before lease expiry?
12 months
- Maximum time for both parties - Good if T is going but if they are likely to stay you would have to agree rent far in advance (unsure of rent in 12 months time)
6 months
- Negotiating terms close to renewal date
- Risk tenant may not reply for a few months and then leave on the last day of the tenancy
What are the key elements of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927?
Section 3 - Relates to ability for tenants to undertake works that are allowed for in lease and improve letting value of premises
Section 18 - Limits amount LL can claim for damages when T fails to fulfil repairing obligation under lease (diminuition in value e.g amount to which disrepair has reduced the value of the landlord’s interest in the property)
Section 19 - States that tenants assignments and alterations are not to be reasonable witheld - This is the case even if it is not explicitly stated in lesae
Are you aware of any other acts relating to Landlord and Tenant?
Landlord and Tenant Act 1927
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Security of tenure for residential tenants)
When are tenants improvements disregarded at a lease renewal?
- If improvements carried out within last 21 years (any time during tenancy)
- If it is an alteration (not improvement)
- If improvements were a lease obligation
When is a tenant not responsible for external repairs?
Internal Repairing and Insuring Lease
In what circumstances is it appropriate to have restrictive user clauses in leases?
Tenant mix (e.g. pub next to pub or pub next to residential)
- too much competition in area
- protect value of investment
What must a section 25 notice contain?
- Landlord name
- Tenant name
- Property name (but notice is served on T)
- Date of notice
- Date of tenancy termination
- Friendly OR hostile notice
- Recommendation to seek professional advice
What action should a landlord take if they require possession of a property at the end of a lease?
Serve a S.25 to terminate tenancy and object to new tenancy under ground(s) of section 30
What is section 27?
Tenant’s notice to quit upon lease expiry
To be served not later than 3 month before lease end
What advice would you give to a landlord client in respect of a lease renewal where a property is significantly overrented?
Tell client what you think the rent would be for a new tenant
1) Do nothing - Carry on getting rent as tenant is holding over. T could terminate by giving 3 months or serve S.26 to request new tenant
2) Serve S.25 - Enter new lease at lower rent (value of prop would still be high as unit is let)
Tenant could apply to court for interim rent if giving 12 months notice (As T would have to pay high level of rent for 12 months) - T would suggest paying for 6 months as this is the minimum time LL could have given
No right answer - depends on landlords aims
What is the response deadline for a section 26?
2 months
What is a hostile notice?
Under s.25 LL is stating they are not willing to give a new tenancy when it expires
What is section 29?
Time-scales for application to court
- T must apply to court before expiry of S25
- LL and T May agree to extend date for court application S.29(B)
- L can apply to court
For the application of a new tenancy (court has power to grant)
How is T compensation assessed under 1954 Act?
Section 37
- 2 X Rateable Value for occupation of 14+ years
- 1 X Rateable Value for occupation of less than 14 years
Court can award compensation for damage or loss
Is a calderbank offer binding?
Yes in writing, bound by it if not
Why can a court only grant a lease up to 15 years?
Typical term for a hypothetical lease - falls in line with 5 year rent reviews
What are reasonable grounds for refusing to consent to assign?
- If tenant is weak covenant
- Effect on rental or capital value (weaker covenant = reduced rental value)
- If T accounts don’t match expectations
What is difference between interim and terminal schedule of dilaps? (KEY FOR GARRATT LANE)
Interim served when MORE than 3 years left on lease
Terminal served in last 3 years
- Leasehold Property Repairs Act 1938 - If LL serves s.146 notice, T can get relief from forfeiture under the act
What is an implied covenant?
RELATES TO RESIDENTIAL PREMISES
Relates to business premises if there are no EXPRESS covenants
Use property in a tenant like manner
Name three situations where licences are appropriate
- Licence to alter
- Licence to assign
- Licence to sublet
What do you understand as the term interim rent?
Rent payable between end of old lease and start of new lease
- Used when negotiations regarding lease are ongoing (tenant paying old lease during this time)
To what tenancies does the 1954 act apply?
All tenancies occupied for business purposes (MORE THAN 6 MONTHS)
How long does a tenant have to serve a section 27 notice prior to expiry?
No shorter than 3 months before lease expiry
What is the legal case in the matter of a lease or a licence?
Street v Mountford 1985
- Licence to occupy room in a house (neither attendance nor services were provided e.g. cleaning or meal provision)
- House of Lords stated it was a lease as the tenant had exclusive possession
What is a part 36 offer?
Lease renewal Calderbank - Offer to settle dispute save as to costs (Without prejudice)
What is section 33?
Court has power to grant new tenancy for a term (not exceeding 15 years)