The legislation governing the rights and responsibilities of commercial landlords and tenants is complex and ever changing. Many landlords feel that the ground is constantly shifting beneath their feet, and that the legal landscape is making it increasingly difficult to do business.
For example, commercial landlords are now legally obligated to ensure the properties they lease are more energy efficient due to new EPC ratings requirements, while the introduction of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act means that landlords will no longer be able to recover their legal costs from tenants exercising their enfranchisement rights, amongst other significant changes to the leasehold system. The recent introduction of the Building Safety Act has also introduced more responsibilities for the responsible persons of high risk buildings, including landlords and building managers.
This recent slew of legislative change means that specialist legal advice is becoming ever more necessary to ensure that you are in full compliance with regulatory requirements and to avoid disputes. Even with the best of intentions, however, disputes can arise.
That is why the specialist Dispute Resolution team at Attwaters Jameson Hill is here.
We offer sound legal advice to landlords and tenants to help them understand their rights and responsibilities relating to a broad range of matters and clarify their position in disputes. Whilst we always endeavour to assist both parties in arriving at a satisfactory agreement, we understand that this is not always possible. Our Dispute Resolution lawyers are experienced in representing their clients both in and out of court, with the aim of achieving the best possible outcome.
Our Service Pledge
Disputes with landlords or tenants can be unpleasant, stressful and expensive. That’s why our lawyers make a pledge to every client, which we call our Service Pledge: a promise that we will never add to your worries by making you wait for a phone call or failing to provide you with an update when we said we would. We promise to be proactive, responsive, communicative and helpful at all times, and to always treat you with the professional respect and courtesy you deserve.
How we can help
We can support commercial landlords and tenants with a wide range of property disputes, including:
- Disputes around the terms of a commercial lease
- Dilapidations and repairs claims
- Recovery of commercial rent arrears/service charges
- Breach of lease obligations claims
- Opposed and unopposed lease renewals on behalf of both landlords and tenants, from service of the Section 25 or 26 notice and any Section 29B extension agreements
- Rent review disputes
- Preparation associated with the enforcement of possession proceedings
- Commercial lease forfeiture proceedings, including the preparation of Section 146 notices
- Commercial lease rent concession agreements
- Breach of covenant disputes
- Disputes relating to break clauses and the service of notices under break clauses
If you are a commercial landlord or tenant pursuing or defending a dispute, our clear, high-quality legal advice will help you find the most suitable resolution for your circumstances. With extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution methods as well as litigation proceedings, we can explore all available avenues to find the approach that is best for you. With our transparent, staged fee structure and pragmatic approach to dispute resolution, Attwaters Jameson Hill is here to help you handle landlord tenant disputes with confidence.