by Cherry
5. November 2010 12:00
TIP 1
It may be helpful to use a checklist so that you can ask the Landlord to be explicit about costs and obligations in the Lease. The checklist should include:
- the rent
- VAT
- rates
- service charges
- insurance
- utilities
- repairs/dilapidations
- fitting out/alterations
You should ask the Landlord:
- who pays?
- How often? How much?
- What is the occupier's cost each year?
- If this cost is not fixed, what does it depend on?
TIP 2
Keep thinking of the deposit as your money and demand that interest on it is accrued at a fair rate. Ask the Landlord to make sure that it is held in an account that belongs to you (escrow or stakeholder account) in case the Landlord becomes insolvent. Thoughout the term of the lease, make sure you obtain statements from the Landlord to confirm that the money is still in the account and that all interest earned has been paid to you or, if required by the lease, has been held on your behalf within the account. Check that your deposit will be transferred to the new Landlord if the Landlord sells the property to another owner.
TIP 3
Make sure you know when and how you can get your deposit back, such as when you no longer have an interest or have satisfied agreed conditions.
TIP 4
Think of any guarantees as if it WILL be called on the first day of the lease; what would be the personal consequences for you? Can you afford it?
Taken from The Code for Leasing Business Premises in England and Wales 2007 www.leasingbusinesspremises.co.uk
For further information on financial matters, please contact Jeffrey Freed jlf@freedandco.com