Commercial Leases

[tavollbracht]

Hi, we have recently purchased a building that has a pet shop and barbers in it. We are totally new to the commercial lease front, and have been told to get a self repairing commercial lease. The rent per week is £100 combined. (this is below market, but there are empty shops everywhere!) The former landlord has their lease written out on a piece of paper - a 12 month lease with a 1 month break clause and NO clauses for damage, repairs, etc. We don't really want to go through the cost of going to our solicitors for a (not very big profit) to get a lease. I have looked to purchase one online, but every site I look at doesn't say whether it is a self repairing lease! Can someone help? I was a legal secretary for years and feel like I can get around quite well, if I could see an example. Or, if you have bought one and you know it is self-repairing, could you please let me know where to get it! Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks
Amy

[Editor]

With existing tenants and no proper lease agreement this puts you in a weak bargaining position to improve the terms, especially, as you say, there are empty shops all around.
When you say a "self repairing" lease, I am presuming you mean an internal repairing (tenant responsible for internals) and you as landlord responsible for externals? I think it would be very optimistic to think you could get your tenants on FRI leases at this stage, and depending on the condition of the property?
You would need to effectively bring the existing tenancies to an end (I presume these are periodic tenancies unless your piece of paper specifies a fixed term) by serving a section 25 notice with proposals for the new lease terms, rent etc.
You should find a suitable commercial lease on the NetLawMan site - see:
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/dir/agreements-forms.htm