Where you are in the process
Tenants typically come to us at one of four points:
- Pre-expiry planning, 6 to 18 months before lease end
- Schedule of dilapidations received, formal or informal
- Quantified demand received, Pre-Action Protocol clock running
- In negotiation or dispute, often after going some way without specialist help
The earlier the engagement, the more leverage there is. But specialist input adds value at every stage. There is no point so late that nothing can be done.
How we act for tenants
Our tenant-side work covers lease and licence interpretation, independent inspection, schedule and quantified demand review, Section 18 diminution analysis, response drafting, Scott schedule preparation and full negotiation through to settlement. Where matters reach formal proceedings, we work alongside instructed solicitors.
Where tenant-side claims usually reduce
- Items that are not actually breaches under the covenants relied on
- Costed works that exceed what the lease standard requires
- Reinstatement items where the licence does not require reinstatement
- Items superseded by the landlord's intentions for the property
- Diminution materially below the cost of works under Section 18
- Consequential losses (loss of rent, fees) that are not properly evidenced