Commercial premises law

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

Choosing premises for your business doesn't just mean finding the right space in the right location - you also need to think about lease terms.

Getting out of a lease if your property requirements change while you are leasing commercial premises can leave you in a difficult situation.

The rent review provisions of a typical lease can present a major headache if you suddenly find yourself faced with a substantial rent increase.

A planned maintenance program for managing your premises can help minimise damage and the costs of repairs for your business premises.

If you are building or altering commercial premises, or changing the way you use them, you may need planning permission or building consent - or both.

Buying premises may be one of the largest investments you make in your business. Understand the process and have all the legal bases covered.

It's essential to get adequate insurance cover for your business, so that if disaster strikes your business can recover.

If you need to get out of your lease there may be several options available, including terminating the lease, re-assigning the lease and sub-letting.

Depending on the size of your business and what you do, there are some insurances that will be compulsory and others that are highly advisable. 

Leasing premises is an appealing option for businesses. It gives you a secure base without the costs of buying a freehold. Read our Leasing FAQs

Claiming on your insurance can be stressful - but if you follow these steps you can maximise your chances of success.

Moving into licensed property is easier, quicker and cheaper than taking on a lease or buying a freehold property. Our overview of premises licences.

Rent reviews and business rates revaluations can cost you money. How to judge whether an increase is reasonable, and how to challenge an increase.

Rent reviews are a mechanism for adjusting a tenant’s rent to the current market level. You negotiate a rent review with your landlord.

Most businesses rent their premises, either through a lease or a licence, as it's flexible and ties up minimal capital. Our guide to what to consider.

Break-ins and theft could threaten your business if you lose key equipment or data. Learn how to keep your premises protected.

If you lease business premises, understand your responsibilities for maintenance and repairs - they should be clearly set out in the lease.

Commonhold schemes are intended for commercial and residential multi-occupancy properties with extensive common facilities and structures.

Finding out that your insurance doesn’t cover you after an incident can be devastating. Make sure you have the right amount of cover.

Commercial tenants with older leases wanting to sublet can find their lease tricky to get out of. Find out how to overcome these problems.

Using CCTV in the workplace is subject to data protection and human rights law. So what must employers do to avoid breaking the law?

You have a great opportunity to move to perfect premises but you need to get out of your existing lease. Know the barriers and how to overcome them.

There is no automatic right to get out of a lease just because the rent has increased. Review the options if you can no longer afford your rent.

If you're finding it hard to get insurance because of flood risk, this tool can help you track down a specialist insurer.

Most planning applications are submitted online. Use the tool on the Planning Portal website to apply to every local authority in England and Wales.

Visit the Government’s Planning Portal website to calculate the fees for any planning application you’re considering in England.

RICS have produced a guide to help you with advice on sourcing, financing, surveying and safeguarding a property for your business.

When taking on business premises, key issues you may face are choosing premises, negotiating a lease, challenging dilapidations claims, sub-letting.

Self-assessment tool for businesses which use surveillance cameras to help them comply with Data Protection Rules