Commercial Landlord Solicitors in Brighton

A commercial landlord solicitor specialises in business properties, including shops, offices, warehouses, and industrial sites. Residential landlord solicitors deal with homes or flats rented for private use. The laws and lease structures are very different — commercial leases are more complex and less regulated, so specialist advice is essential to protect your investment.

Ideally, you should speak to a solicitor before granting or renewing a lease. Early advice ensures your agreements are watertight and you avoid problems later. However, you can also contact us at any stage — for example, if a tenant has breached their lease, stopped paying rent, or you need to end an agreement.

One of the best safeguards for landlords is having a Rent Deposit Deed in place. This allows you to hold a sum of money on account of rent or other liabilities, providing an immediate source of protection if the tenant fails to pay rent or breaches the lease.

The deed should clearly set out how the deposit can be used, when it can be topped up, and how it is returned at the end of the lease. Well-drafted Rent Deposit Deeds can help landlords avoid the time and cost of pursuing arrears through formal proceedings.

The process typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on how quickly both parties agree on terms and provide the necessary information. Having a solicitor prepare and negotiate the documents helps prevent delays and ensures the lease reflects your business objectives.

Yes. We regularly assist landlords with lease renewals, extensions, and re-gears (variations to update rent, term, or clauses). These changes can significantly impact your property’s value and flexibility, so it’s essential that they are properly documented.

Whether a tenant can remain after the end of a lease depends on how the lease is drafted and whether it is protected under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.

If the lease is within the protection of the Act, the tenant may have a statutory right to a new lease unless the tenant has formally “contracted out” of those provisions. It’s important for landlords to decide early whether they want the tenant to have renewal rights and to make sure this is clearly documented in the lease and supporting notices.

Our team can guide you through the options to ensure your lease terms reflect your long-term property strategy.

When a lease comes to an end, landlords and tenants must deal with any dilapidation or reinstatement obligations — these relate to repairing or restoring the premises to its original condition. Clear provisions in the lease about repairs, alterations, and reinstatement can significantly reduce the likelihood of disputes when the tenant vacates.

Our commercial property solicitors can help you ensure these clauses are clearly defined from the outset, protecting your property and minimising end-of-lease costs.

Our team advises landlords with all types of property, including:

• Retail and hospitality premises
• Offices and co-working spaces
• Industrial units and warehouses
  Mixed-use developments — If you own or are buying a property to let, we can help you structure the lease and manage it effectively.

While we’re based in Brighton, we act for commercial landlords across Sussex and throughout England and Wales. Much of our work can be conducted remotely via phone, video, or email.

Costs depend on the complexity of the matter — for example, whether you’re drafting a new lease or resolving a dispute. We’ll always provide a clear cost estimate upfront and keep you informed throughout the process so there are no surprises.