(OLD) Key lease terms and their implications to property management Flashcards
What is Alienation?
Refers to provisions in leases which govern tenant’s ability to:
- transfer the lease (known as an assignment)
- underlet the premises (known as an underletting or sub-letting)
- share occupation of the premises (known as sharing occupation)
ALWAYS Read the Lease (RTL)
What is the difference between assignment and sub-letting?
Upon assignment the new tenant (T2) has a direct relationship (privity of contract) with the Landlord
When sub-letting, the new sub-tenant (T2) has a direct relationship with the tenant (T1) and pays him the rent, who then pays rent to the landlord
What are the reasons to sub-let, rather than assign a lease?
Requirement of the lease
For part of the demise and not the whole
If MR > PR then there is a profit rent
If tenant wants to re-occupy in the future
There can be an absolute, open or restrictive (qualified) alienation clause- either allowing alienation (open), subject to some conditions (qualified) or not allowing a sub-letting or assignment (absolute)
Usual clause = landlord’s consent = not unreasonably withheld and delayed
What actions can be taken when dealing with an application for consent to assign / sublet?
Read the lease (RTL)
Will the tenant cover surveyor’s and legal costs?
Is the proposed rent the MR or same as PR?
What will be effect on investment value of property?
What does lease state regarding the grant of consent for assignment and subletting?
Any reasonable grounds for withholding consent?
Strength of the covenant of the proposed new tenant?
Any accounts and references to consider?
Has a rent deposit been agreed? Is there an AGA clause?
Obtain the client’s approval to proceed
If consent is to be granted, a license for assignment or sub-letting will be required
What is the relevance of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1988?
Aim of legislation = ensure a statutory duty exists on landlord to deal with consents (e.g.alienation) diligently
Failure to do so can result in successful claim for damages
Blockbuster Entertainment Ltd v Barnsdale Properties Ltd (2003) = landlord’s delay in agreeing to under letting and tenant = awarded £70k damages to cover loss of rent and other outgoings
What did the Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995 introduce?
Relates to assignment of leases
Came into force January 1996 (called ‘new’ leases)
Act abolished privity of contract for new leases
Introduced Authorised Guarantee Agreements (AGA’s)
A Section 17 Notice has to be served upon guarantor within 6 months of tenant defaulting to require former tenant who has entered into an AGA to pay arrears
Can only be one AGA in place at any time
Which Act introduced Authorised Guarantee Agreements (AGA’s)?
Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995
What is an Authorised Guarantee Agreements (AGA’s)?
Places obligation on outgoing tenant to guarantee performance of lease covenants by new tenant / “Assignee”
If Assignee fails to perform lease covenants (e.g. rent payment / repair obligations) - AGA allows landlord to pursue outgoing tenant under terms of the AGA
Also provides landlord with option to insist on outgoing tenant taking on a new lease (on the same terms of the existing lease) if the new tenant defaults and the existing lease is disclaimed
What is privity of contract for new leases?
Original tenant can assign interest in tenancy but not relationship with the landlord
Which Act abolished privity of contract?
Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995
Before LTA 1995, first tenant = liable for rent, etc regardless of assignment. Assignee default meant original tenant could suddenly be presented with a demand for rent at any time
What does the Code for Leasing Business Premises, 2007 state about AGAs?
AGAs should not be required as a condition of the assignment, unless at the date of the proposed assignment the proposed assignee, and any proposed guarantor, is of a lower financial standing or is resident or registered overseas
What are some recent, high profile cases relating to AGAs?
Good Harvester Partnership LLP v Centaur Services Ltd (2010):
- Case dealt with whether a tenant’s guarantor can be required to guarantee an AGA
- Court held a tenant’s guarantor cannot be required to give a direct guarantee of assignment
- It is now unsafe to rely on original tenant’s guarantor obligations on assignment
KIS Victoria Street v House of Fraser (Stores Mgmt) Ltd (2011):
- Case clarified above position regarding tenant’s guarantors after assignment
What does the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) state about subletting?
Lease may also lay down a minimum rent for the tenant to charge on a subletting
Tenants should avoid provisions that prohibit tenant from subletting at rent below their PR, in case MR fallen by the time they wish to sublet.
What are alterations?
Alterations = carried out by tenant during lease
Must be approved in writing by landlord prior to works
Usually subject to reinstatement at end of lease
Some works may not require landlord’s formal consent so always Read The Lease (RTL)
What is the relevant RICS GN for alterations?
RICS Licence for Alterations Guidance Note, 2013
What does the RICS Licence for Alterations Guidance Note, 2013 set out?
Sets out advice to surveyors dealing with applications from tenants to make alterations to office and industrial properties
States importance of dealing with matter without unnecessary delay and ensuring Licence = completed to protect both parties
What is a licence for alterations?
To be completed before works commence
Obtain undertaking for costs at commencement of instruction
Protects landlord and tenant for future rent reviews, lease renewals and dilapidations
Most licences require the tenant to reinstate the works at the end of the lease
Remember LTA 1988 requirements for Landlords to act within a reasonable timescale
What are TWO useful functions of a licence for alterations?
To protect the parties at rent review
To protect dilapidations at the end of the lease
What actions can be taken when dealing with an application for consent for alterations?
Always RTL - is landlord’s approval required?
LTA 1927 - landlord’s consent not be unreasonably withheld
Request full set of plans and a specification
Obtain undertaking for surveyor’s and legal costs
Need to be documented in a Licence of Alterations
Check long term impact on property (if tenant defaults)
Consider whether financial bond = appropriate to be held by the landlord
Consider if reinstatement required at the lease expiry
Has the tenant got the necessary planning consent and building regulations?
Request copy of proposed risk assessment for works
Inspect completed works to ensure they are as agreed
Consider requirements of Code for Leasing Business Premises, 2007 - states clauses should not be over-restrictive
What does the LTA 1927 state about alterations?
Landlord must be reasonable when dealing with requests from tenants for alterations
Landlord’s consent must not be unreasonably withheld (section 19)
If Section 19 = followed landlord may be obliged to pay compensation for alterations if they constitute improvements
What case can you think of in relation to alterations and the LTA 1927?
Iqual v Thakar (2004):
- Case relates to grounds where landlord can reasonably refuse tenant’s request to undertake alterations. Court found in favour of landlord having regard to the 1927 Act
- Purpose of consent = to protect landlord’s property interests and is for the tenant to prove that the landlord has acted unreasonably without consent
What are the THREE key themes of the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS?
Fairness, Accountability and Transparency (FAT)
What does the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS outline?
Superseded the 2007 Code (voluntary), 2020 Code contains mandatory requirements
Contains recommendations for landlord and tenants when negotiating new leases and best practice
Also includes in appendix a template HOTs which mirrors the code
What are the compulsory requirements for RICS members under the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS?
Lease negotiations must be approached in constructive and collaborative manner
Unrepresented party must be advised about existence of the code and its supplemental guide
Must be written HOTs subject to contract summarising identity and extent of the premises; length of term; whether inside / outside LTA 1954 etc
Same requirements apply to lease renewals / extensions
Negotiations should aim to produce terms = fair balance between parties
Landlord / its letting agent = responsible for ensuring compliant HOTs in place before circulating draft lease
What does the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS state about assignment and subletting?
Leases should allow tenants to assign premises with landlord’s consent not to be unreasonably withheld
Any proposed guarantor must be at least of equivalent financial standing to assignor
AGAs should not be required as a condition of assignment, unless proposed assignee and any proposed guarantor = of lower financial standing / registered overseas
Tenants should avoid provisions that prohibit subletting at a rent < rent they are paying, in case MR has fallen by time they wish to sublet
What does the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS state about service charges?
Landlords must provide best estimates of SC, ins and all other outgoings to prospective tenants
Landlords must disclose known irregular events that might impact on future service charge
Parties should have regard to current edition of Service Charges in commercial property, RICS PS
SC provisions in leases should be drafted in conformity with mandatory provisions of RICS PS
What does the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS state about repairs?
Tenant’s repairing obligations should be appropriate to length of lease and condition of premises
Unless otherwise agreed, tenants should only be obliged to give back premises at end of lease in same condition as start of lease
What does the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS state about alterations and changes of use?
Landlord’s control over alterations and changes of use should not be more restrictive than necessary
Internal non-structural alterations should not require landlords’ consent
Landlords should not require tenants to remove permitted alterations and make good at end of lease, unless reasonable to do so
Landlords should notify tenants of their requirements at earliest practicable time before lease expiry date
What does the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS state about insurance?
Terms of insurance policy should be fair, reasonable and represent good value for money
Landlords must disclose any commission which they receive
Policy should include terrorism cover
If whole property = damaged by an uninsured risk and cannot be occupied, tenants should be allowed to terminate lease unless the landlord agrees to rebuild at his own cost
What does the Code for Leasing business Premises (2020) PS state about ongoing management?
Schedule of dilapidations should be sent to tenant before expiry / within 56 days after expiry
Landlords should comply with obligations under rent deposit deeds re. how funds are held and interest credited
If landlord receives proposal for alterations and fails to object within 3 months, the LTA 1927 may make
landlord lose right to object to alterations
Termination and renewal – where tenant has protection under LTA 1954, both parties should seek professional advice no more than 1 year before term due to end