Running of Covenants Flashcards
Hua Chiao Commercial Bank Ltd v Chiphua Industries Ltd
Running of Covenants
Land
‘touch and concern’ land or ‘have reference to the subject matter of the lease’ defined as whether the covenants affect landlord and tenant in their roles as landlord or tenant as opposed to personally?
Original Parties
Privity of Contract
Pre-1996
- In leases created before 1 January 1996, the original tenant and landlord’s liability continues for the full duration of a lease term, even after an assignment of either the reversion (landlord’s interest) or the lease (tenant’s interest).
- This is a result of privity of contract, express wording of the contract, and s79 LPA 1925
Thursby v Plant [1690]
Original Parties
Privity of Contract
Pre-1996
Tenant is still liable having disposed of the lease
Stuart v Joy [1904]
Original Parties
Privity of Contract
Pre-1996
Landlord is liable having disposed of freehold
Privity of Estate
Running of Covenants
Leases
- As the landlord and tenant are each owners of a legal estate in the property, there is said to be privity of estate between them. Privity of estate exists between any current landlord and current tenant of the property.
- Upon assignment of a lease, there will no longer be privity of estate between original landlord and tenant. It will now exist between current landlord and current tenant.
Spencer’s Case [1583]
Assignees of a Lease
Privity of Estate
Running of Covenants
Leases
-
Assignee gets benefit and burden of all covenants if:
- Must be privity of estate between the parties
- A legal lease – Boyer v Warbey [1953]
- Legally assigned – Cox v Bishop [1857]
- Covenant must touch and concern land - Hua Chiao Commercial Bank Ltd v Chiphua Industries Ltd
Examples of tenant covenants that’ touch and concern’ the land
- To pay rent
- to repair
- to decorate
- to use only in stipulated fashion
- not to assign without consent
- not to make alterations
- to insure premises
Examples of landlord covenants that’ touch and concern’ the land
- renew the lease at end of term
- supply premises with water
- not to build on adjoining land
Examples of covenants that have been held not to touch and concern land
- not to employ certain persons
- to give the lessee right of first refusal on adjoining land
- sell the reversion to the lessee
- pay the tenant compensation at the end of the lease if a new lease is not granted
Estates Gazette Ltd v Benjamin Restaurant Ltd [1994]
Assignees of a Lease
Privity of Estate
Running of Covenants
Leases
- Assignee’s liability only lasts whilst he is in position of tenant
- Tenant will still be liable if he makes direct covenant with L for assignee’s breaches
Moule v Garrett [1872]
Assignees of a Lease
Privity of Estate
Running of Covenants
Leases
- A person is entitled to recover any money paid out from the person who’s defaulted on their legal responsibilities.
- An original tenant can sue directly a subsequent assignee in respect of breaches committed by the assignee. Action cannot be taken against subtenants.
LPA 1925 s77(1)(c)
Assignees of a Lease
Pre-1996
Privity of Estate
Running of Covenants
Leases
- In respect of an unregistered lease, every assignment for valuable consideration shall be deemed to include a covenant by the assignee with the assignor to pay the rent and to perform all the covenants touching and concerning the land for the remainder of the lease.
- Implies a direct covenant into the deed of the assignment and so the original tenant is able to sue his assignee under ordinary rules of contract.
LRA 2002 Sch 12 para 20
Assignees of a Lease
Pre-1996
Privity of Estate
Running of Covenants
Leases
- In respect of an registered lease, every assignment for valuable consideration shall be deemed to include a covenant by the assignee with the assignor to pay the rent and to perform all the covenants touching and concerning the land for the remainder of the lease.
- Implies a direct covenant into the deed of the assignment and so the original tenant is able to sue his assignee under ordinary rules of contract.
RPH Ltd v Mirror Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Holdings [1992]
Assignees of a Lease
Pre-1996
Privity of Estate
Running of Covenants
Leases
Suing the assignee is of limited practical value because if the assignee had money, the landlord would have sued him first instead of the original tenant.
- Original tenant sued and held liable for £2m of unpaid rent – they were insolvent so not worthwhile
LT(C)A 1995, SS17-20
Assignees of a Lease
Privity of Estate
Running of Covenants
Leases
- Protect the original tenant much more ROBUSTLY
- Apply to ALL leases whenever created
- S.18: former T not liable for unforeseen variations to lease which were made after he assigned the lease and were not anticipated in the lease
- S.17: warning notice of rent/fixed charge claim on former T to be served within 6 months of claim arising (landlord can only claim 6 months arrears this way)
- S.19-20: former T can claim overriding lease within 12 months of paying out for rent/fixed charge claim ONLY