termination of lease

[richard9]

I have been renting an office since march 2003, on a two year contract. However, due to repair work being done in one of the rooms, I was unable to sign the contract until work was complete, Novemer 2003. I want to get out of the office now. Does anyone know Am I tied into the two year contract until November? Also I have been trying to sub let the office and have to pay th eingoing tenants legal fees in advance, according to the landlords agent, I have just had tenants poull out for the 2nd tiem at my expense, can I recoup any of the costs, assuming the ingoing solicitors have not completed all work that was paid in advance for? any advice would be appreciated.

[Paul_f]

This is a bit confusing. You must look at the wording on your lease concerning start and finish dates, BUT - any lease of 3 years or less must be:-


Effective on possesion [it must start on the day you moved in and not when the landlord presented you with the lease to sign]
At a "best rent" i.e. market rent
AND without a "fine" meaning premium.


If you didn't sign the lease until November 2003 the fact you moved in in March 2003 determines the start date, therefore your lease is probably at best a periodic tenancy, and can end on your giving a "rental period" notice and it would end next month anyway probably.

I find it strange that the lease states you have to pay the sub-tenants legal expenses if you sublet. This is very unusual. Are you sure you don't mean the landlord's costs?

I suggest you take it to a commercially savvy solicitor to have a look at it as we are not privileged to see the whole wording of the lease.

[richard9]

thanks for the advice...