Guide for industrial and commercial tenants

Your responsibilities

As the tenant of the property, you must:

  • Pay the rent and insurance, non-domestic rates, and all charges for electricity and water, waste, sewerage services    
  • Undertake repairs and maintenance
  • Comply with your lease's Use Clause and get planning permission, if required

Rent

At the beginning of your lease, you must pay the first 3 months' rent (and insurance if applicable) as an initial up-front payment.  After the first quarter, your rent (and insurance if applicable) will then be payable in advance by Direct Debit on the 16th of every month.

If you are having difficulty meeting your rent commitments or have changed banks, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss.

Insurance

To make sure all industrial properties owned by us remain insured, we administer a block policy covering all of our property.

The insurance premium for the block policy is set for each property and is then recharged to you along with your rent.

If you need to make a claim under the block policy, please first of all contact the Industrial and Commercial Property Team.

Our block policy does not cover all risks - mainly fire, flood, lightning, explosion, aircraft, riot or civil disturbance and storm damage.

The excess amount is £250. You should arrange your own contents insurance, public liability insurance and plate glass insurance.

You are also responsible for:

  • Non-domestic rates
  • Utilities, such as electricity, water, waste and sewage

All tenants can choose who supplies their water, waste, sewage services and it is your responsibility to cregister with a supplier and arrange payment of charges on taking entry to the property.

Further information on licensed water suppliers

Repairs and maintenance

Tenants are responsible for repairing and maintaining their unit and or yard in good order. This includes replacing any elements of the unit as and when required, and regular redecoration of all previously decorated items. 

Regular maintenance of your premises is good practice and lessens the possibility of major repairs at the end of your lease.

 You should continually monitor:

  • Roofs for leaks and carry out such repairs as required in a professional manner
  • Rainwater goods to ensure gutters and downpipes are kept clear, free-flowing and without leaks
  • External walls for cracks, damage and repair as required, including reinstatement of surface finishes as necessary
  • External paving slabs, pavoirs etc for cracks and subsidence etc and repair as appropriate
  • Boundary fencing, effecting repairs as necessary and in conjunction with neighbouring Tenants and owners as appropriate
  • Internal and external plumbing installations including supply and drainage pipework, sanitary installations, storage tanks etc. Carry out all repairs and replacements as required
  • Door and window furniture and in particular the roller shutter door to ensure smooth operation and security
  • All electrical systems and appliances to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation
  • It is a condition of your lease that fixed electrical systems are maintained, which should be carried out by a competent electrician. Test and certify as required
  • All alarm and firefighting systems should be compliant with relevant guidelines and legislation. Test and certify as required

At least once every 3 years:

  • Thoroughly prepare and redecorate all previously painted external timbers with 2 coats of best quality gloss paint in colours to match pre-existing
  • Primer and undercoat also to be applied where bare timbers exposed during preparation
  • Thoroughly prepare and redecorate all previously stained external timbers with 2 coats of best quality preservative timber stain in shades to match pre-existing

At least once every 5 years:

  • Thoroughly prepare and redecorate all previously painted internal and external metalwork (including sectional up-and-over doors as required) with 2 coats of suitable best quality gloss paint in colours to match pre-existing
  • Primer and undercoat also to be applied where bare metal exposed during preparation
  • Prepare and redecorate all internal walls and ceilings previously painted with 1 coat of best quality emulsion paint to match pre-existing finish
  • Additional coats to be applied as required to achieve full coverage. Include for filling holes etc in walls as required
  • Thoroughly prepare and redecorate all previously painted internal timbers with 2 coats of best quality gloss paint in colours to match pre-existing
  • Thoroughly prepare and redecorate all previously varnished or stained internal timbers with 2 coats of best quality varnish andpreservative timber stain to match pre-existing finishes

Use clause and planning permission

  • You must continue to occupy and use the premises for the business activity detailed within your lease.
  • Should you wish to change the business activities carried out within the premises, you must inform the Property Section immediately as formal landlord’s consent will be required
  • You should be aware that the landlord’s permission may not be granted for uses which are not in keeping with the property's location or are contrary to policy
  • It is also essential that you inform the Property Section to ensure that any change of use is noted on the block insurance policy
  • You should also check with your local planning and building standards office to establish if planning permission is required for your proposed new use
  • Should planning permission be required, it will be your responsibility as tenant to ensure that this is formally obtained before commencing your new business activities

Related Downloads