1954 Act – Opposing Renewal: Could you, should you, how & when?

Contents

The upturn in the economic climate is being reflected slowly but surely in the commercial property market. Increasingly landlords are looking to the possibility of taking back possession of commercial premises at the end of statutorily protected leases. This session examines recent cases on the seven statutory grounds of opposition under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, and the lessons to be learned, as well as providing a timely and practical review of the evidence required to successfully oppose, and how best to avoid some of the beartraps which might trap the unwary.

Learning Objectives

As a result of watching this video, delegates will:

• Understand how and when to oppose tenants’ renewal rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
• Have an understanding of which grounds of opposition are most useful for a landlord, and why
• Be alert to the perils of opposing on grounds which attract statutory compensation
• Be able to advise on the need for clarity of opposition at the outset, in view of the difficulties of a change of heart by the landlord
• Be aware of the evidence the court looks for from the landlord in order to prove the seven statutory grounds of opposition, and when it must be produced

Speaker

SARAH THOMPSON-COPSEY

Sarah Thompson-Copsey is a former property litigation partner at the City law firm now known as Dentons, handling all types of commercial property problems, but with an emphasis on avoiding & resolving commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Sarah now works as a freelance lecturer, trainer and author and lectures & writes regularly on commercial property topics, as well as providing independent auditing and consulting services for law firms.

Sarah is co-author of Tenants’ Pre-emption Rights: A landlord’s guide to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (Jordans) and Mixed Use and Residential Tenants’ Rights: The Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 and Leasehold Enfranchisement, (Elsevier 2009). She is also on the property consultation board of Practical Law Company and a site editor for the Property Law website at www.propertylawuk.net.