Top Tips for Property Occupiers
Things to consider on your Rent Review
- Do you have a break option at the same date? It could be useful leverage.
- Wait till after the review date before refurbishing and take photos of the space before doing so.
- Are you still using the floor areas the landlord gave you when you moved in? Get them checked.
Things to consider on your Business Rates
- Check whether you can still (or should) appeal your Rateable Value before the deadline on 31st March 2023.
- Has the Valuation Office applied the correct floor area to calculate your Rateable Value?
- Tell us when there are building works closeby– we can potentially get you a rates saving during the works.
- If you, or your neighbours, have a rent review or lease renewal in 2021 or 2024 then the result will likely impact your rates, so pay attention to it.
Things to consider on your Lease Renewal
- If your lease is “Outside” the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 you MUST prepare well in advance whether or not you want to stay.
- If your lease is “Inside” the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954: well done, you hold all the cards. Play them wisely and take advice on how to.
- Assess the full cost to the Landlord if you move out, and the full cost to you of moving. Both need specific property market knowledge.
Things to consider on Dilapidations
- Find out what the landlord is intending to do with the premises when you leave.
- The wording of your lease may make it very difficult to avoid unfair/punitive costs, get it checked.
- The state of the market will also influence the outcome of a dilapidations claim
- Tactics are vital but very specific to each case … we can’t give away all our secrets here