Commercial Lease Solicitors
We advise landlords and tenants on the full commercial lease lifecycle - from heads of terms
to completion and beyond. Fees from £1,200 + VAT.
Commercial Lease Services
aking on or granting a commercial lease is one of the most significant commitments your business will make. A lease that is poorly reviewed or badly drafted can lock a landlord or tenant into unfavourable terms for years — affecting rent liability, repairing obligations, the ability to exit, and ultimately the value of the business itself.
Freeman Harris acts for both landlords and tenants across London on commercial leases for offices, retail units, restaurants, warehouses, professional premises and mixed-use properties. Our managing director, Ian Freeman, is himself a property developer — which means our advice combines legal precision with a genuine understanding of the commercial realities on both sides of a lease negotiation.
H2: Our Commercial Lease Services
Lease Review and Advice
Before you sign anything, we review the full lease and advise you on every clause that affects your position. We explain what you are committing to in plain English — rent review mechanisms, service charge caps, permitted use restrictions, alienation provisions and more — and flag anything unusual or unfavourable that should be negotiated before exchange.
Lease Negotiation
We negotiate lease terms directly with the other side’s solicitors. Common areas where we secure improvements include: rent-free periods, break clauses, repairing obligations (particularly in older buildings), service charge caps, and permitted use definitions. Landlords and tenants both benefit from having an experienced negotiator at the table early.
Lease Drafting
For landlords granting a new lease, we draft a robust agreement tailored to your property and your requirements. For tenants, we review and mark up drafts received from the landlord’s solicitors, ensuring the final document reflects the agreed commercial terms and does not contain unexpected obligations.
Lease Assignment and Subletting
If you are taking over an existing lease from an outgoing tenant, or you need to transfer your lease to a third party, we manage the legal process from licence to assign through to completion. We advise on any conditions imposed by the landlord, including guarantees and authorised guarantee agreements (AGAs).
Lease Renewal
When a business lease is approaching expiry, tenants with security of tenure under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 have the right to renew on reasonable terms. We advise on whether your lease qualifies, manage the statutory renewal process, negotiate the new terms, and protect your right to remain in occupation if the landlord opposes renewal.
Break Clauses
Break clauses are some of the most strictly construed provisions in commercial leases. Exercising a break incorrectly — serving notice late, in the wrong form, or while in breach of a lease condition — can result in the break failing entirely, trapping a tenant in occupation for years. We advise tenants on correct exercise and landlords on whether a break notice has been validly served.
Heads of Terms
We review and advise on heads of terms before solicitors are formally instructed. Getting the key commercial terms right at this stage — including rent, term, break options, rent reviews and repairing obligations — avoids expensive renegotiation later in the transaction.
Dilapidations
At the end of a lease, landlords frequently serve dilapidations schedules seeking the cost of repairs. We act for both landlords and tenants in dilapidations disputes — assessing the validity and quantum of claims, negotiating settlements, and advising on the cap imposed by the Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938 where relevant.
Who We Act For
We regularly advise:
- Start-ups and SMEs taking their first office or retail unit
- Established businesses relocating, upsizing or downsizing
- Landlords letting commercial property (single units and portfolios)
- Hospitality and restaurant operators
- Professional services firms (medical, dental, legal, accountancy practices)
- Businesses entering multi-site or franchise occupancy arrangements
- Investors acquiring commercial leasehold interests
Why Choose Freeman Harris for Your Commercial Lease?
Practical, commercial advice. Ian Freeman brings experience as both a solicitor and a property developer. He has been on both sides of commercial lease negotiations and advises accordingly — not just on the law, but on what matters commercially.
Fixed and transparent fees. We provide fee estimates upfront so you know what to expect. See our fee schedule below.
No hidden surprises. We review the full lease, not just the headline terms. Clients frequently come to us after another solicitor missed a clause that cost them significantly. We do not do that.
London-based, nationally instructed. We are based in London but act for clients on commercial leases across England and Wales.
Commercial Lease Team
Ian Freeman
Managing DirectorIan has advised on commercial leases throughout his career, acting for both landlords and tenants. As a property developer himself, he brings a commercial perspective that goes beyond pure legal advice, understanding not just what a clause says, but what it means for your business in practice.Lana James
ParalegalLana supports clients with commercial leases having been involved in such work for a number of years. She assists with legal research, document preparation and gathering information for leases. She helps ensure matters progress efficiently and clients receive appropriate support throughout their legal matter.Talha Fazlani
LawyerTalha assists with commercial lease matters, including drafting, review and negotiation. He has particular experience advising businesses in the technology, creative and professional services sectors on their commercial property commitments.
Commercial Lease Fees
Commercial Lease FAQs
- Do I need a solicitor for a commercial lease?
Legally you are not required to instruct a solicitor, but it is strongly advisable. Commercial leases are complex, legally binding agreements that can expose you to significant liabilities — for rent, repairs, and compliance — for the duration of the term. A solicitor will identify clauses that are unfavourable and negotiate improvements before you are committed. The cost of good advice at the outset is almost always far less than the cost of dealing with a poorly drafted lease later.
- How long does a commercial lease take to complete?
A straightforward commercial lease typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from the point both parties have agreed heads of terms. More complex leases involving negotiations over tenant’s works, rent-free periods or conditional terms can take longer. We will give you a realistic timetable at the start of your matter.
- What is a break clause in a commercial lease?
A break clause gives one or both parties the right to end the lease early, on a specified date, by serving written notice within a defined period. Break clauses are governed strictly by the lease wording — failure to follow the precise procedure (including serving notice in the right form, at the right time, and in compliance with any pre-conditions) can invalidate the break and leave the tenant bound by the lease for the full remaining term.
- What does "security of tenure" mean in a commercial lease?
Security of tenure is the statutory right under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 for a business tenant to remain in occupation and renew their lease at the end of the term. Not all commercial leases carry this right — landlords frequently exclude it. Tenants should understand whether their lease is inside or outside the 1954 Act before signing.
- Can I sublet or assign my commercial lease?
Most commercial leases permit assignment or subletting, but only with the landlord’s prior written consent. Landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent, but they may impose conditions — including requiring the outgoing tenant to provide an authorised guarantee agreement (AGA), guaranteeing the new tenant’s obligations. We advise both incoming and outgoing tenants on the process.
- What are dilapidations?
Dilapidations are claims made by a landlord against a tenant at or near the end of a lease, seeking compensation for the cost of repairing, reinstating or redecorating the property to the standard required under the lease. Dilapidations claims can be substantial. Tenants should seek legal advice on the validity and quantum of any schedule served against them.
- What types of commercial property do you advise on?
We advise on leases for offices, retail units, restaurants and cafés, warehouses, industrial units, medical and dental practices, and mixed-use premises across London and the rest of England and Wales.
Contact our Commercial Lease Team
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