RENEWAL TERMS AND THE 1954 ACT: GOOD NEWS FOR TENANTS FROM RECENT CASES?

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 gives commercial tenants statutory rights to renew their leases. But what terms should tenants be seeking to change, and how far can landlords look to modernise? This session will look at recent case law – including ‘post covid’ cases – to draw out practical help for those advising both tenants and landlords including:

• Repair and service charge clauses “to improve energy efficiency” – why these are crucial to manage: lessons from WH Smith v Commerz; Poundland v Toplain
• Rent cesser clauses – are they now “something that all tenants want”?
• Tenants’ break rights: when, how, and conditions: Iceland; Vodafone
• Rent, interim rent and the ‘covid’ effect: S Franses v Cavendish – back before the courts

Sarah Thompson-Copsey, Non-Practising Solicitor, Legal Lecturer and Trainer