Our lease advisory department has built an enviable reputation and has an extensive client base. We deal with rent reviews and lease renewals on many different types of property, for both landlords and tenants, benefitting from close links with our active agency departments. Our core areas of involvement are in central London offices and both high street/shopping centre and out of town retail throughout the country, although we welcome the challenge of more unusual properties as well.

In the event of a disagreement, a rent review clause typically provides for referral to either an arbitrator or an independent expert. Our philosophy is to achieve a settlement by negotiation wherever possible and we manage this in the vast majority of cases. However, where this cannot be achieved, we ensure that the strongest possible case is put forward to the third party covering all legal, technical and evidential points.

Jeremy Good and Ian Campbell are on the RICS President’s Panel of Arbitrators and receive regular appointments in their particular fields of expertise. Jeremy Good also acts as an Independent Expert in the out of town retail sector.

In addition to the above, our lease advisory team also has considerable experience in the following procedures:

■ Assisting with the drafting of new leases
■ Providing rental budgets
■ Re-structuring leases
■ Negotiating interim rents
■ Compensation provisions
■ Interest provisions on back rent
■ Time of the essence clauses
■ Implementation and effects of break clauses
■ Surrender negotiations