At First Law Solicitors, we provide professional Tenant-Focused Lease Advice for businesses and individuals renting commercial premises across England and Wales. Taking a lease is one of the most significant legal commitments a tenant can make. Our solicitors ensure you fully understand your rights, obligations and long-term position before signing. We act for tenants of shops, offices, restaurants, industrial units and mixed-use premises, offering clear and practical advice designed to protect your commercial and financial interests.
A lease is a legally binding contract that gives you the right to occupy a property in exchange for rent and compliance with certain conditions. It defines what you can do with the property, how long you can stay and what you must pay. However, not all leases are written with the tenant’s interests in mind.
Our solicitors review and explain every clause, from rent and service charges to repair obligations, break clauses and renewal rights. We help you understand whether the lease includes protection under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, which grants security of tenure to most business tenants.
If the lease excludes these rights, we explain the implications clearly and ensure you know what this means for your business in the long term. Our goal is to make every aspect of your lease understandable, fair and commercially workable before you commit.
Before signing a lease, it is vital to review and, where possible, negotiate terms that fit your business needs. Our solicitors assess the proposed lease in detail and identify provisions that may cause difficulty or create unnecessary risk. We explain how to address these points with the landlord or their solicitor to achieve balanced terms.
For tenants, this often involves ensuring that repair and maintenance obligations are reasonable, that rent review mechanisms are fair and that service charges are transparent. We also check that any restrictions on use, alterations or subletting are suitable for your intended operations. If your lease is due for renewal, we can assist in negotiating new terms under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, helping you secure continued occupation on fair and lawful terms.
Once your lease is in place, our advice continues to support you throughout the tenancy. We explain your ongoing obligations, such as repair, insurance and payment of rent or service charges, and how to respond if disputes arise. We can also assist if you wish to assign or sublet the premises, ensuring full compliance with the Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995, which governs how lease responsibilities transfer to new tenants.
Our solicitors provide practical advice on managing notices, renewal requests and any dealings with the landlord, helping you avoid breaches and maintain a good commercial relationship.
When your business circumstances change, you may wish to leave the premises before the lease term ends. We explain your legal options, including using a break clause, negotiating a surrender or assigning the lease to another tenant. Each route has specific procedural and financial requirements, and we guide you through them carefully to ensure a clean and lawful exit.
If a dispute arises about notice periods, dilapidations or unpaid rent, we act swiftly to protect your position and resolve matters efficiently.
All lease documents and client communications are handled in strict confidence. We operate under UK GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, with oversight by the Information Commission (formerly the ICO). Our systems allow for secure digital document review, remote consultation and electronic execution under the Digital Verification Services (DVS) framework. We ensure that all your data and agreements are handled with integrity, accuracy and full legal recognition under the latest digital standards.
At First Law Solicitors, we combine commercial awareness with precise legal expertise to deliver advice that is practical, clear and effective. We recognise that every tenant’s situation is unique, whether you are a small business entering your first lease or an established company expanding into new premises. Our solicitors explain every option in plain English, ensuring you can make informed decisions with complete confidence. We focus on transparency, fairness and long-term protection for every client we represent.
If you are taking on a new commercial lease, renewing an existing one or facing difficulties with your landlord, contact First Law Solicitors today. We provide expert tenant-focused lease advice to clients across the United Kingdom.
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