With the increased frequency of local and national lockdowns, the high street is at its biggest standstill to-date. To release the deadlock, landlords have begun to agree lease terms that are more favourable and flexible for the tenant with the novel turnover rent provisions leading the way in reimaging the leases and commercial property sector in the UK. More...

History books will certainly mark the year 2020 as the year of COVID-19. The global pandemic caused by the deadly virus will undoubtedly change the world we know. We already see changes to the way we shop, eat and work as the list of “the new normal” seems endless.

Changes to the way we live give many business owners new ideas on how to carry their business post-COVID-19 to adapt to people’s new needs and expectations. Given the lockdown, many businesses are turning to an online presence only.

We regularly see many commercial property tenants reviewing their leases and thinking about shifting their businesses to online presence only. Although the idea to cut the costs of the premises and move businesses online is advantageous in principle, many residential properties have certain restrictive covenants on the title which prohibit what can and can’t be carried out at the property. These often include restrictions on “carrying out business”, such as running an online business from home. More...