Disposal & Acquisition of Offices
Leasing offices is the backbone of our business - both disposal
and acquisition.
Advising clients in the acquisition process involves firstly,
locating the offices through a variety of databases, contacts and
specialist knowledge. We arrange inspections of potentially
suitable properties, help clients draw up a short list, negotiate
best terms and then work with solicitors. This is more than
just a hand-holding exercise - we aim to become the in-house
estates department and all the variables of a negotiation are
brought in to play - not just the principal financial terms such as
the rent and rent free period, but break clauses, 'cap and collar'
at rent review, service charge caps and many other issues.
When disposing of offices, we use a variety of marketing methods
- both traditional and modern - aiming to identify the most
appropriate tenant as quickly as possible and, thereafter, to
negotiate the most favourable terms for our clients.
We pride ourselves on our energy, enthusiasm, and originality of
approach.
For further information contact any of the Partners.
Development Advice
We are regularly appointed by developers and investors at the
outset of the development process to advise on all aspects of a
scheme from site acquisition, specification and finishes to the
likely needs of tenants and rental levels. Our involvement takes us
through the duration of the development, the marketing campaign and
culminates with the successful disposal.
For further information contact any of the Partners.
Rent Reviews
Eagerly awaited by landlords in good times and always a source
of great worry to tenants, valuation for rent review is a potential
minefield where professional representation is essential.
Assessment of market rental value is rooted in agency. What
would the premises let for upon the terms of a hypothetical lease
created by the wording of the rent review clause within the lease?
A successful rent review surveyor will have first-hand knowledge of
the market value of buildings in their area of expertise and the
technical ability to assess location, specification and lease terms
by comparison with the market evidence. We have the ability to
negotiate effectively in the best interest of our client and to
present evidence to arbitrators and independent experts in an
effective and honest manner.
For further information contact David Fryman
Lease Renewals
Lease expiries are opportunities for occupiers to relocate or
renew their lease.
Whilst an increasing number of leases are 'Outside' the Security
of Tenure Provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 resulting
in tenants having no automatic rights to a new lease, the vast
majority still enjoy the protection of the Act. Statutory lease
renewals are increasingly complex projects, on which we work with
our client's solicitor often from in excess of a year before the
contractual expiry date to ensure that the relevant Notices are
served to best tactical effect, application to the Court is made
and negotiations conducted with the opposite side. In the event
that a negotiated settlement is not reached, the matter proceeds to
Court, involving the preparation of expert's reports and the giving
of oral evidence in Court.
In a volatile market a landlord and tenant surveyor must have
the confidence and market knowledge to be able to advise a client
when to wage war and when to compromise a dispute.
For further information contact David Fryman
Lease Restructure
In the current weak market tenants with Options to Determine
their lease or a willingness to extend their leases are often well
placed to radically alter the terms of their occupation, often
obtaining substantial immediate benefit by way of a capital sum,
rent free period or reduced rent.
We act for both Landlords and Tenants in such negotiations.
For further information contact any of the Partners.
Business Rates
The 2010 Rating Revaluation comes into force on 1 April 2010 and
will, subject to transitional phasing considerations, form the
basis of rates payment for 5 years from that date. Rates are
a substantial business outgoing. All rating assessments
should be investigated, appealed where appropriate and a watching
brief kept so that material changes, such as part vacation or
adjacent building works can be properly reflected in rates
liability.
Rating has become a very specialist field of valuation and
Edward Charles and Partners offer a rating service through
specialist, Robert Dickman of Chartered Surveyors, Fletcher
King.
Read our 2010
Rating Revaluation briefing note (pdf)
For further information contact any of the Partners.