Avoid leaving your business’s future in the dark by understanding your rights when your lease is up for renewal.

A retail or commercial lease is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a retail shop tenant that allows the tenant to use the landlord’s property in return for rental payments. Renewing or terminating your lease depends on your agreement with your landlord.

Renewing With An Option

When you have an option, you can renew the lease on the same terms as the original. Note the deadline date for exercising your option to avoid losing it. If your contract says the rent shall be adjusted according to market rent, you can share the cost with your landlord if you appoint an independent valuer to determine this price. You must be aware that a market rent valuation overrides the timeframe for exercising your options, which is why you must reply within 21 days of the market determination.

No Option Alternatives

Your landlord is not obliged to renew the lease if you do not have an option. Your landlord should write to you six months before telling you their intentions. At the expiry of the lease, you may stay in your property on a month-to-month basis if the landlord agrees. In this holding over period, the same legal obligations apply, and the landlord may terminate the lease with written notice of 30 days.

Make Good Requirements

When your lease is terminated, and your business must vacate the premises, the make good provisions in the lease will require you to leave the property in the same condition. Clarify with your landlord on the standards of the make good provision to avoid a bond dispute.