Letting commercial properties: what are my responsibilities?

Fixtures and fittings

Any fixtures and fittings you have installed in the property need to be safe to use. This includes correct installation and, in the case of some electrical equipment, a safety certificate.

If the tenant installs any fixtures and fittings themselves, then it will usually be their responsibility to maintain those. It’s best to clarify exactly what you will take responsibility for in the lease should you need to refer to it later.

Gas and electricity

Gov.uk says that tenants should maintain equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This includes ensuring a registered gas safe engineer and an electrical safety engineer inspect the property on a regular basis.

Gas appliances or electrical items supplied by the tenant will be their responsibility.

However, the landlord may be responsible for the safety of installations in communal areas.

Maintenance and repair

The lease should say who’s responsible for maintenance and repair. However, the responsibility for repairs often falls to the tenant. The tenant will also usually need to cover the costs to return the building to its original state when ending the tenancy.

Much like a residential property, any fault with the building itself will be the landlord’s responsibility. Should there be a problem with the structural integrity, for example, it will usually fall upon you to fix it.

Asbestos

It’s very important that you include asbestos in any risk assessments you conduct. While it may not be necessary to remove the asbestos, failing to properly manage it can result in a fine of up to £20,000 and two years in prison.

Fire safety

When it comes to things like evacuation procedures, those responsibilities will usually fall with your tenant, but you should always include fire safety in any risk assessment you complete. While it may be down to you to supply fire safety equipment, this is something that needs to be defined in the lease.

The Code for Leasing Business Premises in England and Wales

In 2007, the Code for Leasing Business Premises in England and Wales was published. It aims to “create a document which is clear, concise and authoritative” when it comes to the responsibilities of commercial landlords and tenants.

While commercial landlords are not legally obliged to obey the Code, it was authorised by such regulatory bodies as the British Council for Offices, the British Retail Consortium, and the Confederation of British Industry, as well as groups representing insurers and surveyors.

Whether or not you decide to comply with the code, it is worth knowing its contents so you can be aware what tenants may expect of you and what your competitors might be offering.

The code covers:

• lease negotiations
• rent deposits and guarantees
• length of term, break clauses and renewal rights
• rent review
• assignment and subletting
• service charges
• repairs
• alterations and changes of use
• insurance
• ongoing management

You can read the full code here