Expert Solicitors for Assignment & Subletting Negotiations

Assignment transfers your entire lease to a new tenant who takes on all obligations under the lease. You are released from liability once the assignment completes. Subletting involves letting part or all of the premises to a third party while you remain liable under the headlease. Our assignment and subletting solicitors can advise on which option suits your circumstances.

Generally, no. Most commercial leases require landlord consent before assignment. However, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1988 imposes a duty on landlords not to unreasonably withhold consent. Our lease term negotiations solicitors can advise on your specific lease terms and challenge unreasonable refusals if necessary.

This depends on your lease terms and how the assignment is structured. Normally, you will be released from future obligations once the assignment completes, but landlords often require outgoing tenants to guarantee the assignee's obligations for a period. Our lease assignment solicitors negotiate favourable release terms and limit your ongoing liability exposure.

This depends on your lease terms. Some leases allow subletting of part, while others prohibit subletting entirely or only allow subletting of the whole. The lease usually specifies which parts can be sublet and requires landlord consent. Our lease review solicitors advise on what is permitted and negotiate subletting rights where needed.

Landlords typically assess the proposed assignee's financial stability, business track record, and suitability for the premises. This may include credit checks, bank references, business accounts, and trade references. Our solicitors help prepare comprehensive applications that demonstrate assignee suitability and satisfy landlord requirements.

The timeline varies depending on complexity and landlord responsiveness. Once a complete application is submitted, landlords have a reasonable time to respond, typically 2-4 weeks. Complex assignments involving guarantees or multiple parties may take longer. Our assignment negotiations solicitors ensure applications are complete to avoid delays.

Yes, landlords can impose reasonable conditions on consent, such as requiring guarantees, rent deposits, or deed poll obligations. However, conditions must be reasonable and relevant to the landlord's legitimate interests. Our solicitors negotiate reasonable conditions and challenge any unreasonable demands.

Costs depend on complexity and whether you are acting as assigning tenant, incoming assignee, or landlord. We offer transparent, fixed-fee quotes for assignment and subletting work. For details on our legal fees, please contact our team. Professional legal advice protects your interests and ensures smooth transactions.