Problems arranging new lease for a business

[ineedadollar]

i went to view a property 9 months ago and decided it was right for me
the estate agents are one of the biggest in the area and seem to have all the big shops for rent. after spending about 4 months negotiating as they was quite slow getting back to me we came to an agreement. I was told i was required to pay there solicitor fees before we are given a copy of the lease, so decided to go view the property and have everything measured out before we sent it. The solicitor was very quick in chasing us up for the money.
I was told they had "put a lot of time into getting the lease together"
Upon receiving the lease there are a lot of points which was agreed not in there. And points not valid to the property
On the head of terms it is stated that the deal is to be completed within a month of receiving the lease. We had emailed them back on January 3rd explaining all the points in the lease we are not happy with and as we had not heard anything back by January the 12th we decided to give the estate agents a ring who informed us we should have something back the following week. I decided to email the solicitor for an update on the 23rd as i had herd nothing back and just been ignored.

Whats the best way to approach this

 

[jjscruff]

presumably you've had a solicitor look over the lease?
In which case they will be able to advise you

 

[ethical PR]

I agree ask the solicitor who helped you review the lease.

By the way I have only rented a few office spaces but never paid for the landlord's solicitor before reviewing the lease - sounds rather dodgy to me.

You are not paying for them to draw up the lease, the landlord will have one anyway. You are paying for them to deal with legalities to do with you leasing the property and any negotiating around the lease once you decide to go ahead.

 

[ineedadollar]

yes i was quite reluctant to pay the fees but the estate agents are quite a big company in the area. the solictor has advised i send an email which i have done but seems they are just ignoring me

 

[FuturePro]

I have always had agreements where each party pays their own legal fees. I do suggest you engage your own solicitor. I have usually had the first meeting with out charge. This will be a good opportunity to explain where you are and your concerns regarding this payment your solicitor can then advise on how to proceed.

 

[Clinton]

Who is the landlord? Have you made him aware that he's appointed some right chumps?

 

[ineedadollar]

Who is the landlord? Have you made him aware that he's appointed some right chumps?

the landlord seems to be a big company as they own the whole of upstairs which is student accommodation,

 

[wevet]

How strong your hand is depends on how long the property has been empty and how much similar property there is available in the area.

I have never, ever heard of a landlord's solicitor requiring a prospective tenant to pay to view the lease. This opens the door to an unscrupulous solicitor (I have heard they may exist!) inserting unacceptable terms and you go on a merry go round of lease revisions.

I would go direct to the landlord, state your case that payment to view the lease is unreasonable and that you are prepared to walk away.

It is not uncommon for incoming tenants to be required to pay the landlord's fees but that is only AFTER the lease has been agreed and signed.

 

[ineedadollar]

Don't think my hand is the strongest as the property is in prime location, I had not herd of them asking for payment before lease but as the estate agents are huge I decided to go ahead with it. it has taken them over a month to respond to me saying they will get back to me next week but as you said they have inserted unacceptable terms in the lease.

 

[ethical PR]

What did your solicitor say - they will be best placed to review the lease and advise you of any legal implications.

 

[ineedadollar]

Solicitor sent them a list of revisions to make on the lease on the 3rd of jan, and has told me to chase them up. After a lot of chasing them up have had a email back saying they will get back to me this week. Have found another property in a different location but kind of planned everything for this place over the time