Corporate Occupiers & Tenants
Our Real Estate team acts for occupiers of commercial properties across a whole range of sectors, either as owner occupiers or as tenants under leases and in relation to single or multiple sites.
We work closely with our clients and their internal and external property advisers and help them with their strategies to ensure that they maximise the benefit of the use and value of their real estate holdings in agreeing contract and lease terms.
The problems and issues with which occupiers grapple are multifaceted: we deal with realisation programs, the acquisition of new premises, renewals of existing leases, the management and redevelopment of existing premises, disposals (including part disposals arising from “downsizing” and corporate reorganisation) and advise on all related construction and planning aspects.
News
Too much and not enough
The last MSCI Lease Events Review found that in 2019 nearly 50% of office lease break options were exercised, on a rent-weighted basis. What’s more, nearly 60% of office rental… Read more →
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Dear Ben
I want to pay a new tenant to take my lease off my hands. Can I do that? You are referring to what is known as a reverse premium, because… Read more →
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CAN TENANTS DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM?
Is it time for landlords to think the unthinkable and consider upward and downward rent reviews? Ben Dunbar looks into his crystal ball to consider the possible impact of Coronavirus… Read more →
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Conclusively inconclusive charge statement
It’s not often we mention summary judgment decisions in QIA but the case of Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Limited v Blacks Outdoor Retail Limited [2020] EWHC 1263 (Ch) has… Read more →
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DEAR CLAIRE – June 2020
Perplexed by property law? Relax, Solicitor Claire Haynes is here to answer your most pressing questions… Dear Claire Q: I run a designer clothing boutique. The boutique is located in… Read more →
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The Future Office – legal issues for landlords, tenants and agents
“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything” said George Bernard Shaw. As we look forward to the easing of lockdown, what changes can we expect to challenge landlords,… Read more →
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Cracking the code- the new RICS code for leasing business premises
The RICS has issued the 1st Edition of a new code which comes into effect on 1st September 2020 as a RICS Professional Statement. The aim is fundamentally to improve transparency… Read more →
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Whose Lease is it anyway? – something to bear in mind when considering an investment
In the recent case of Bella Italia Restaurants Ltd. v Stane Park Ltd. and others (2019) EWHC 2747 (“Bella“) the High Court considered an interesting point. Namely, whether a tenant… Read more →
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Dear Claire
Perplexed by property law? Relax, Solicitor Claire Haynes is here to answer your most pressing questions… Dear Claire Q: My business has a 10 year lease of office premises which… Read more →
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COVID-19 – Is your commercial property currently vacant? Considerations for landlords and tenants
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt almost every industry. Consequently, many commercial properties are currently left vacant as bars, restaurants and retail units are closed and most office workers have… Read more →
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COVID-19 – LEASES AND THE LAW OF FRUSTRATION AND FORCE MAJEURE
As the COVID pandemic intensifies and the economic ramifications loom large, it is virtually certain that all businesses will experience significant disruption bringing with it the strong possibility of increased… Read more →
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Coronavirus Act 2020
Real estate update – The new landlord moratorium on forfeiture and re-entry. How does it work? On 25 March 2020 government put in place emergency legislation, known as the Coronavirus… Read more →
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Sign of the times?
Beware that you don’t accidentally give away, or get more than you bargained for! An automatically generated email footer signature might be enough to create a legally binding contract for… Read more →
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Buyers beware of the leap year! What buyers should consider when calculating rent apportionments
Whilst the calendar contains 365 days, the time it takes for the Earth to orbit the sun is slightly longer. Therefore every four years we add an additional day to… Read more →
Bulletins
Telecoms masts and a landowner’s right to redevelop
While the new Electronic Communications Code (introduced by the Digital Economy Act 2017) is intended to ensure that telecommunications operators are able to provide the public with “a choice of… Read more →
Bulletins
Breaking up is hard to do. How to get it right first time
A break clause in a commercial lease offers flexibility to the party with the benefit of the right to terminate. This can be either the landlord or the tenant, or… Read more →
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Dear Claire- Autumn 2019
DEAR CLAIRE Perplexed by property law? Relax, Solicitor Claire Haynes is here to answer your most pressing questions… Q. I am the owner of a commercial office building. It is… Read more →
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Introducing the BCO guide to Specification 2019 – Best practice for offices
Following the launch of the BCO Guide to office Specification 2019 at the BCO Conference in Copenhagen and the introduction of the new, interactive digital platform, Wedlake Bell was delighted… Read more →
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Turnover rents – are they the answer to the high street’s woes?
In a world where we are seeing an increasing number of company voluntary arrangements – arrangements that allow retailers to renegotiate rent and speed up shop closure plans – and… Read more →
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Dear Claire – Summer 2019
Perplexed by property law? Relax, Professional Support Lawyer Claire Haynes is here to answer your most pressing questions… Q: My company has taken a 10 year lease of newly constructed… Read more →
No-nonsense advice which gets to the heart of the matter but more importantly, identifies practical and effective solutions to drive transactions over the line.
— Legal 500, 2021
Decent, ethical people, delivering excellent advice and without hubris. The team has strong depth and robust abilities across the whole sector of real estate.
— Legal 500, 2021
'Wedlake Bell provide high quality legal work, with strong communications and a sense of personal ownership of issues and work flow by the respective partners. In an increasingly complex and confusing world in the post brexit era Wedlake Bell provide clarity and strong counsel.'
— Legal 500, 2020
'Suzanne Gill is an excellent legal adviser, transactional lawyer and highly personable individual. She brings a refreshing prospective to the law. Suzanne has immense gravitas and a razor sharp legal mind.'
— Legal 500, 2020
Sarah Blunn is an exceptional real estate lawyer, commercial and dedicated to her clients.
— Legal 500
Leah Freeman has expert knowledge of our business, stores and internal ways of working.
— Legal 500