Landlord & Tenant

"A lease represents a carefully structured and defined relationship where ownership and rights to occupy are separated, where payment of rent guarantees quiet enjoyment, where who is obliged to do what, when and at what cost is clearly defined and there is clarity regarding responsibilities obligations and timescales all under a protective legislative cloak which ensures that fairness and decency prevails." Anon. Optimist

When it works you don't even need to look at the lease. When it doesn't every word is scrutinised for nuance and meaning, every phrase dissected and every double and triple negative extrapolated. Statutory obligations and time limits need to be understood and observed or financial penalties and lost opportunities enter the equation.

Typical everyday questions:

They've been paying us rent for years but there is no lease. Can we get them out?

The landlord wants us to pay for/contribute towards a new roof/lift/air conditioning/windows. Do we have to?

The roof leaks. Who is responsible for repairing it?

The landlord proposed a new rent of double the previous amount. He said time was of the essence and we had to pay. Is that right?

Our basement office was flooded because the landlord didn't clear the drains. Who will pay for our replacement office equipment and temporary accommodation costs?

But I posted our form saying we wanted to renew our lease a week before the deadline. I didn't have a court application form. Isn't that enough? Will we get a new lease?

The landlord says we can't assign our lease because the prospective new tenant is a young company with no track record. Is that right?

We occupied the premises years ago but now the landlord says we have to pay the current tenants rent arrears and we can have another lease. Is that right?

Our lease expired last year. Can we leave at the end of the month?