Commercial Leases Solicitor
Commercial property leases
Commercial property leases can be of benefit to both landlords and tenants. However, negotiating the terms of a lease to ensure it is balanced and satisfies the needs of both parties can be tricky.
The support of a commercial property solicitor can make this process easier.
We have a wealth of experience assisting both landlords and tenants with commercial property leases. With experience in working for both sides to avoid disputes through dispute resolution and concerns regarding the terms of the lease.
Whether you are a:
- landlord looking to ensure that your commercial property is kept in good condition, or
- a tenant concerned about various restrictions in the lease affecting how you run your business
our expert commercial property team will work with you, listening to your wishes and helping to get the right terms in place.
Do you have to use a solicitor for a commercial lease?
From a legal perspective, you are not required to use a solicitor.
However, it is strongly recommended that you seek advice from a solicitor when entering into a commercial lease. This is because a commercial property lease may include terms and covenants that could make operating your business difficult.
A commercial property solicitor has the experience to spot terms and covenants that could impact your business. They also have the ability to negotiate the terms of the lease so that they are more favourable to your business needs.
Examples of some commercial property lease terms that we can negotiate:
Repairs
Tenants are often imposed by their lease to be responsible for repairs. We can negotiate so that this term is weaker so that the Landlord also shares some responsibility.
Alterations
You may need to carry out some non-structural alterations to adapt a property for your business needs. Leases sometimes carry terms that make this process complex and inefficient by requiring the landlord to sign off. Negotiations can eliminate or weaken this term to prevent delays in having your business ready to operate.
Signage
Some leases require the landlord to approve any signage installed on the property. As a business, you may already have set brand colours, logos and identity. If the landlord refuses to consent to your signage, this can have a serious impact on your business. Through negotiations, this term can be removed.
What does a commercial lease lawyer do?
Commercial lease lawyers create property leases between tenants and landlords. The leases they create contain all the terms and clauses that both a tenant and a landlord will have to abide by.
Through negotiation and dispute resolution they mediate differences to make a lease favourable to both parties.
Finally, a commercial lease lawyer can also assist and provide legal advice for when leases are broken by either the tenant or landlord.
Who pays the legal fees for a commercial lease?
There is no standard process of who should pay for the legal fees for a commercial lease. However, usually, the tenant is responsible for covering the cost of the lease. This is because landlords normally have a standard template lease ready to use and it is the tenant that is looking to amend the document and terms.
However, both parties should seek out separate legal representation either during the negotiation or, at the very minimum, before signing any commercial property lease.
This helps ensure that you are signing a contract that is legal and represents your best interests.
Why use Rothera Bray for legal advice on commercial property leases?
Whether you are a landlord or business tenant, we can act for you. With experience in a wide variety of sectors and industries, we can understand the particular nuances that may come with your property.
Identifying your objectives and what would work best for you is always our first priority. We will then work to secure these and the best possible terms for you and your business.
- Struggling to meet the terms of your lease? Whether you’re a landlord or tenant we can provide expert legal advice on where you stand.
- Drafting and negotiation of lease agreements along with legal advice on the heads of terms prior to the drafting of the contract.
- Expert legal advice on lease renewals, extensions, assignments and variations. This includes reviewing existing unfair and escalating ground rent provisions and any other undesirable lease terms.
- Legal advice on any disputes arising between Landlord and Tenant regarding the terms of the lease.
Related services from Rothera Bray:
- Lease renewals
- Lease extensions
- Lease assignments, sub-lettings, underlettings and variations
- Service charges
- Break clauses
- Rent reviews
- Termination of leases
- Insurance
- Recovery of possession
- Personal guarantees
- Responsibility for repairs
Send us a message
“Solicitors experienced in commercial property leases are essential to ensure that your business won’t face problems in the future.”
Russell Thompson
Commercial Property Partner
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Posted 28 May 2026
Selling houses is always a daunting prospect, but my life was made much easier by the professionalism and efficiency of Laura Runcak and Lisa Rainbow. They communicated promptly at every step of the process, and I would definitely recommend their services. In fact, I will be using them again in the near future, as I have another house to sell. Both ladies are a credit to Rothera Bray. Many thanks from me and my Mum.
Debbie Tyler
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Posted 28 May 2026
We have recently used Sarrina and her team to carry out the conveyancing for the sale of a property. They have all been exceedingly helpful and made the whole process as straightforward as possible. Nothing has been too much trouble and they have dealt with any issue very quickly. Highly recommended!
Tom Ridgway
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Posted 27 May 2026
We as an organisation have used Rothera Bray on numerous other occasions when we have sold houses in our portfolio. Both Sarrina and Julekha are very easy to work with and have an abundance of knowledge in the legal conveyancing framework. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Matt
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Posted 27 May 2026
I cannot thank Seetal and Rothera Bray Solicitors enough for all the hard work and support they have given me over the last 4 years with my accident at work claim. They have been extremely thorough, professional, and supportive throughout the entire process. Every step was clearly explained to me, and I always felt like they genuinely cared about getting the best outcome possible. Their attention to detail and dedication gave me a lot of confidence during a very difficult time. Thank you again for everything you have done for me.
Luke Shiels
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Posted 22 May 2026
Sara has been very helpful during the whole process, both my mother and I would recommend her highly.
Alison Marlow
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Posted 22 May 2026
I used Rebecca's services via Rothera Bray Solicitors to deal with the financial side to a divorce. I had an initial face to face appointment to talk through everything with Rebecca and this made me feel at ease and felt that Rebecca was the right person to help me. Rebecca has kept me highly informed at all stages throughout and has also given lots of great advice and has helped me a lot with getting things sorted. I am really happy with the service that I received and Rebecca was so friendly, kind, understanding and very helpful. I would 100% recommend to anyone who is requiring the help during a divorce.
Leila
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Posted 22 May 2026
Rothera Bray have been excellent in helping me resolve a difficult and expensive divorce, I found them extremely efficient - communication was excellent at all points and generally they were there when I needed them, they all took a personal interest in my case and we arrived at a reasonable resolution thanks to their efforts Specially thanks to Rebecca Emeleus and Rebecca Hudson for their great work, Highly recommended in what are always going to be difficult situation! They are people that you can rely on - which is very important in divorce actions particularly.
Stuart Randall
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Posted 21 May 2026
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Posted 21 May 2026
Sophie is kind and understanding. She explained everything and I felt I was in very capable hands. I would highly recommend Sophie.
Philippa Stephenson
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Posted 20 May 2026
We recently wished to effect a Declaration of Trust and changes to our tax positions with HMRC. It turned out to be relatively straightforward. However, in large part this was probably due to Ed Granger who dealt with the matter for us. He was highly attentive, full and clear in his explanations and checked our inputs thoroughly at every stage. Highly diligent, very pleasant and quick to respond. Thank you Ed.
Anonymous
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Posted 18 May 2026
Excellent service and advice from Lauren Kilbride at Rothera Bray Solicitors. Her advice was comprehensive, timely and professionally given. It made my decision making easy and the advice was delivered in language easy to understand. I would have no hesitation in seeking her services again should I require them.
Debra Mitchell
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Posted 18 May 2026
Since 2017 Carol Freeman and her assistant Gail Garner have dealt with the selling and buying of a number of properties for me for personal and bereavement reasons. They have been excellent and I can’t praise them enough. Thoroughly professional, reassuring and patient. I have complete trust in them.
Molly King
Catherine Angrave
Partner & Head of Commercial Property
Catherine deals with all types of commercial property work and has acquired substantial experience in acting for residential property developer clients in the acquisition and disposal of development land. She’s based at our Leicester office.
Antony Fyson
Partner
Antony Fyson is a Partner at Rothera Bray Solicitors. He works from our Lace Market office and offers clients a wealth of expertise in commercial property, property development and conveyancing matters.
Phillip Heseltine
Partner
Phillip has specialised in Commercial Property Law since 1997. He deals with sale and purchases of investment property and investment portfolios, but also the sale and acquisition of development land.
Russell Thompson
Partner & Head of Licensing
Russell Thompson is a Partner in the Commercial Property department at Rothera Bray Solicitors and is based at our Lace Market office.
Marneya Chauhan
Senior Associate Solicitor
Marneya is a Senior Associate Solicitor in our Commercial Property department, based at our Leicester office. He acts for commercial property lenders, property investors and landowners.
Amy Moore
Senior Associate Solicitor
Amy is part of our busy Commercial Property team at our Leicester city centre office. She specialises in commercial leases, renewal leases, and acts on behalf of pension schemes in relation to purchases, sales and lease aspects.
Marika Whiteman
Associate Solicitor
Marika Whiteman is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Commercial Property team and is based at our Leicester office.
Amie Hardy
Solicitor
Amie Hardy is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Commercial Property department and is based at our Lace Market office.
Danielle Marshall
Solicitor
Danielle Marshall is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Commercial Property team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Katie Sampson
Trainee Solicitor
Katie Sampson is a Trainee Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Commercial Property department and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Alison Gill
Paralegal
Alison is a Paralegal in our Commercial Property department and is based at our Lace Market office.
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