Termination of Lease & Security of Tenure Flashcards
what is security of tenure?
generic term of statutory protection of leases
how are leases terminated at common law?
- Effluxion of time
- Notice to quit
- Surrender
- Merger
explain effluxion of time
fixed-term leases automatically ends and the end of the contractual term. No notice is needed.
explain notice to quit
periodic leases end with service of an NTQ by LL or T.
One full period’s notice must be given and notice expires at the end of the completed month i.e. monthly tenancy starts on 1st of the month. If NTQ is served on 14 Aug, the earliest the NTQ could specify for expiry of the notice is 30 Sep.
what is the exception to the general rule re NTQ?
only 6m notice for yearly tenancy
explain surrender
LL and T must agree. The lease will merge with LL’s reversion and is extinguished. LL and T may agree to this if there has been a breach of covenant as this would be cheaper than forfeiture.
This can be done informally by operation of law i.e. T handing back keys
To be legal, surrender must be done by deed. The deed could deal with things like arrears.
what is needed for surrender to be legal?
To be legal, surrender must be done by deed. The deed could deal with things like arrears.
explain merger
T acquires the LL’s reversion or a 3rd party acquires the lease and the reversion. The lease is then automatically extinguished (unless the lease is partly preserved in the documentation)
give an overview of the LTA 1954
- If the tenancy meets the LTA requirements, common law termination does not apply. It will continue until terminated in accordance with LTA.
what does LTA 1954 apply to
- LTA applies to tenancies which are occupied by T for business purposes
explain ‘occupied’
o can be personally or through a manager/agent
explain ‘business purposes’
give example
wide definition i.e. trades, professions. Tennis clubs and hospitals have previously failed.
even if a lease meets the LTA requirements, when a tenancy not be protected?
o Tenancies at will;
o Fixed-term tenancies for less than 6m (note exceptions)
o Fixed term tenancies if LTA has been contracted out
o Certain business leases i.e. agricultural, farm and mining leases
- In other words, if LL wants to let a property without security of tenure, they will need to use one of the above.
when will a fixed-term tenancy have LTA protection?
if it meets the requirements and either:
If T (or predecessor in the same business) has been in occupation for 12m, they will have protection if the next fixed lease is less than 6m; or
Tenancy is less than 6m but there is provision for renewal or extension beyond 6m
when must the contracting out procedure take place?
before the grant of the lease
what is the contracting out statutory procedure?
Must follow statutory procedure before grant of lease for this to be effective:
1. LL gives T a notice in the prescribed form warning them they are agreeing to a lease without security of tenure and advise they seek professional advice
2. T makes a declaration in the prescribed form confirming they have received notice and agree the lease should be contracted out
3. Details of the notice and T’s declaration must be noted in/on the lease
re: contracting out
what must happen if there is less than 14 days between the notice and declaration?
- If there is less than 14 days between the notice and declaration, T must give a statutory declaration before and independent solicitor
if LTA 1925 applies, how can a lease be terminated?
- Applicable leases can only be terminated using one of the below:
1. s25 LL’s notice
2. s26 T’s request for new tenancy
3. Forfeiture
4. Surrender
5. T giving LL NTQ (if periodic tenancy)
6. s27 notice by T (if fixed-term lease)
7. T cease to be in occupation for business (s27(1A)) (fixed-term lease)
how can LL terminate the lease under LTA 1925?
- If there are no grounds for forfeiture and T will not surrender, LL will have to serve s25 notice.
re: s25 notice
what is the first step?
LL will serve a s25 notice on T which confirms whether LL wants:
o The property back and opposes new tenancy must state s30 grounds
o To renew and grant a new lease must state proposals
re: s25 notice
what will the notice state?
whether LL wants:
o The property back and opposes new tenancy must state s30 grounds
o To renew and grant a new lease must state proposals
- The notice will state date the tenancy will end
re: s25 notice
what is the limitation in terms of the proposed end date?
This cannot be earlier than the lease’s contractual expiry date. It can be after but then the tenancy will continue until there has been 6m notice.
These are called continuation tenancies and are common
re: s25 notice
when must the notice be served?
o The notice must be served at least 6m and no more than 12m before the proposed termination date.