How Can Commercial Property Landlords Protect Their Position?

Here at Burgh Thorpe Solicitors, our legal team support a lot of commercial property landlords. With many years of experience, we have seen the issues that can trip up landlords in the world of commercial properties. One of the biggest pitfalls we have seen for landlords is dilapidations. So, in this blog post our commercial property solicitors share their top tips for how commercial property landlords can protect their position, and their investment.

• Before you take on any new commercial property lease, make sure you speak to a commercial property lawyer. They will be able to review the terms of any new lettings and draft any contracts before you become contractually bound to them.
• It is really important that as a landlord you keep records of your commercial property. This should include taking and maintaining photos from the beginning until the end of the lease. Regular inspection reports need to be completed and kept safely. Copies of correspondence must be kept securely too.
• Carrying out interim inspections throughout the commercial property lease is highly recommended. This will enable you to identify any issues early and therefore prevent them from escalating.
• Every clause within your commercial property lease matters. If you need to make a claim or respond to the claim request from a tenant, get legal advice from our commercial property law experts first. They will help you ensure you understand the existing lease, along with what you can and can’t do.
• It’s a good idea to plan ahead. Think about what you want to achieve from your commercial property as a landlord. For example, if you are planning to redevelop or refit the commercial property, this will change how you approach the dilapidations of the property.

The real key to how commercial property landlords can protect their position is to engage with the commercial property experts early on in the process. You need to work together with a commercial property surveyor and solicitor. This way, you can ensure that all claims are fair, proportionate and well-evidenced.

The commercial property lawyers here at Burgh Thorpe Solicitors work closely with landlords to manage dilapidations from start to finish. We can help you prepare your claim. We can also negotiate a settlement. In addition, we will give you the support for all legal options that you require. Our commercial property law specialists are here to help landlords protect their position, property and investment.