Notice Period

[roboandkate]

Some friends of mine have been running a small printing business from a unit. The landlord has always seemed a bit lax so when the last lease ran out a couple of years ago they thought no more of it.
Last year they were asked for a 65% rent increase, wrote back saying this was unacceptable and heard nothing more for some time. In August a section 25 was received with a date of 03.03.2006.
They again did nothing and the date has passed, the only contact from the landlord has been a further invoice at the old rate.
They now want to wind the business up but do not know what notice period if any they need to give the landlord.
Any advice gratefully received

Thanks

[Editor]

Had your friends decided to leave at the end of their original fixed-term they could have just walked away.
As the landlord has now served a section 25 and they are holding over they will now need to go through the statutory procedure - they need to respond to the notice with a counter notice - Section 27
They may be liable to an interm rent which has yet to be determined.
They would be well advised to use the services of a chartered surveyor.

[daveyjp]

Under the new L&T rules the s25 notice should have been accompanied by a the new Heads of Terms for the proposed tenancy. If this wasn't received the s25 could be invalid. I suggest they see a surveyor for some advice.