Leasing & Letting Flashcards
Code for leasing business premises, 2020 (prof standard) - objective
Improve quality & fairness of negotiations on lease terms and promote the use of a new set of comprehensive heads of terms to make legal drafting of leases more efficient.
What are the mandatory requirements of Code for leasing business premises, 2020?
- Lease negotiations must be approached in a collaborative manner
- To recommend each party seeks professional advice if not already done so.
- Heads of Terms must state STC on a VP letting
- Negotiations should aim to produce letting terms that achieve fair balance between parties
Tenant Selection - why is it important?
There is a relationship between the ‘quality’ of a tenants covenant and the investment value of the property.
Tell me about Security Deposits?
- They must be legally documented in a rent deposit deed (attached separately to the lease - as it is personal to the tenant).
- Money is held in a separate bank account and the interest made goes to the tenant
- Monies can be released, as per agreed terms within the deed
How do you determine when a security deposit is required?
Either a ‘Profits Test’ or a ‘Net Asset Value Test’
What terms in a lease affect value?
Lease Length
Break Clauses
Alienation
Repairing Obligations
User Clauses
Rent Reviews
Security of Tenure
Tenants covenant
What are the main risks of pre-lets?
It is a lengthy complex process and there is a risk in the event a developer or contractor not performing.
Framework of an AFL?
- The lease in a pre-agreed form.
- License for alterations - allowing tenant to continue fitting works
- Specifications and plans for the proposed scheme
- Developers guarantee (if required)
- Warranties - potential collateral warranties
Difference between a lease and a license?
Lease - commercial contract that outlines your rights and responsibility to occupy the premises.
License - a permission to make it lawful for the occupier to use the land / property.
Differences:
1. Leases can be assigned and licenses cannot
2. A lease cannot be terminated until it expires / a license can usually be revoked at any time
Requirements of a lease?
- Exclusive occupation
- Payment of rent
- Duration of term
- To be in writing and signed as a deed (if more than a 3 year period)
Wayleave - what is it?
Temporary right of way and receives an annual payment
What are the assumptions included in rent reviews?
- The property is available to let on open market by a willing tenant to a willing landlord
- Property is fit for immediate occupation and use
- All covenants observed by landlord and tenant
- Property may be used for the purpose set out in the lease
What are the disregards for rent reviews?
- Any effect of goodwill on tenant occupation
- Ignore goodwill attached to the property
- Tenants improvements if landlord consent has been granted for works
Where to get rent review evidence?
Open market lettings
Lease renewals
Rent reviews
Independent expert determinations
Arbitrator awards
S&L
What grounds does a LL have to refuse new lease?
(S30 of the L&T act 1954)
Breach of repairing covenant
Persistent delay in paying rent
Other substantial breach
Provide suitable alternative accommodation
Uneconomic Subdivison
Demolition or reconstruction (again… compensation)
Owner occupation (compensation)