Expert Solicitors for Commercial Lease Disputes

The first step is to contact the tenant to understand their circumstances. Our commercial lease disputes solicitors advise landlords on serving proper notices, pursuing arrears recovery, and if necessary, commencing forfeiture proceedings. We always explore payment arrangements before escalating to court action.

Yes, if you believe service charges are unreasonable or not properly incurred, you can challenge them. Our service charge solicitors advise on challenging demands, requesting itemised breakdowns, and applying to the tribunal if necessary under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Defending a dilapidations claim requires careful analysis of the lease obligations, the schedule of dilapidations, and the Disrepair Protocol. Our dilapidations solicitors help tenants challenge exaggerated claims, negotiate settlements, and defend proceedings where the claim is unreasonable.

Incorrect exercise of a break clause can result in the break failing and you remaining liable for the full rent until lease end. Our break clause solicitors advise on proper procedures, timing, and conditions to ensure valid exercise. If a dispute arises, we can challenge or defend the validity of break exercise.

Landlords generally cannot forfeit for minor or technical breaches without first giving notice and allowing time to remedy. Tenants may apply for relief from forfeiture. Our commercial lease disputes solicitors advise both parties on their rights, whether you are a landlord seeking to forfeit or a tenant defending your lease.

Courts expect parties to engage in pre-action correspondence to try to resolve disputes before litigation. Our solicitors guide clients through the Pre-Action Protocol for Property Disputes, helping negotiate settlements and ensuring compliance to avoid cost penalties in any subsequent court proceedings.

Timelines vary depending on complexity and whether the dispute settles. Many cases resolve through negotiation or mediation within weeks. Court proceedings typically take 6-12 months or longer for complex matters. Our commercial lease disputes solicitors work efficiently to achieve resolutions as quickly as possible.

Costs depend on complexity and whether the matter settles or proceeds to court. We offer transparent, fixed-fee quotes where possible and hourly rates for ongoing matters. For details on our legal fees, please contact our team. Early legal advice often saves money by preventing escalation.