Commercial tenants

When you become a commercial tenant with us we'll give you a lease. This sets out your responsibilities and ours as your landlord. They are usually for a fixed term. 

Paying rent

Rent is usually paid either monthly or quarterly in advance. You will be sent an invoice which should be paid by the date shown on it. You can pay online through our eBilling system using a debit or credit card. 

Pay your business rent

You can also pay online or through our 24 hour payments telephone line using a debit or credit card.

• telephone: 08453 726173

You can also pay by standing order or through your own banking system. 

If your rent is paid late you may be charged interest, or the lease may be forfeited and taken back. 

Service charges

Service charges may by payable under the terms of the lease. Services provided vary depending on the nature of the property but they may include external repairs, maintenance of landscaped areas, cleaning of common areas, redecorating external areas and security provisions.

For most of our units, service charges are estimated for the year and the appropriate sum collected with the rent. After the year end the tenant will be provided with a service charge statement which sets out the actual expenditure which has been incurred by the landlord together with the balance due from or refundable to the tenant.

Insurance

The lease sets out who is responsibility for arranging the insurance of the property. We will typically insure the building against the risks set out in the lease with the premium being recoverable from the tenant.

Repairs and alterations

The lease sets out who is responsible for repairs to the property. Where a tenant agrees to keep property in repair this will usually include an obligation to put the property into good repair, even if the disrepair existed at the beginning of the lease.

Any repair that you consider is our responsibility should be reported to us as soon as possible.

Use

The lease defines what the unit can be used for and will impose an obligation on the occupier to conform to planning legislation. Therefore, it is important that you ensure that your proposed use of the unit is permitted both under the terms of the lease and planning legislation.

Check our planning and building control information for advice on any planning aspects.

Alterations

Dependent on the nature of the alteration consent may be required under the terms of the lease, the Building Regulations and /or the Planning Acts. Should you wish to make any alterations to the unit please write to us, giving full details together with any necessary plans

Any alterations to the electrical systems must be carried out by a qualified electrician who has a current Certificate of Enrolment from the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). Following any alterations to the electrical systems a copy of the Electrical Guarantee Certificate should be forwarded to us.

Any alterations to the gas fittings must be carried out by a competent contractor, as defined by Health and Safety Executive and the Council of Registered Gas Installers (Gas Safe Registration) laid down in the document The Criteria for Qualifications, Training and Experience of Gas Fitting Operatives, published by Gas Safe Registration. Following any alterations to the gas fittings, a copy of the Gas Test Form should be forwarded to us.

Ending your lease

Our leases are generally for a fixed period and cannot be brought to an end before the end of that period.

However, a tenant may assign the lease. An assignment takes place when the tenant transfers to another person the rights and obligations within the lease for the remaining period of the lease. Typically the lease will permit the assignment of the lease with our consent.

Most business tenancies fall within the statutory provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. The Act provides that a lease will continue automatically beyond the fixed term unless or until it is terminated in one of the ways laid down in the Act. Once the fixed term of the lease has expired the tenant usually has to give 3 months' notice in writing to terminate the lease.

At the end of the lease we will undertake an inspection of the premises to ensure that all the terms within the lease have been complied with. If repairing or alteration covenants have been breached, this is likely to lead to an action against the tenant to recover any cost incurred by us in repairing or reinstating the Unit.

Health and safety

Tenants are responsible for complying with fire and health and safety legislation in respect of the premises they occupy and the activities conducted therein.

Information in relation to health and safety at work and fire legislation can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive.

Other ways to contact us about commercial and business premises

If you are thinking about investing in Ashfield, or have other questions about our commercial property you can contact us by: 

• online form
• email: commercialproperty@ashfield.gov.uk 
• telephone: 0162 345 7260