Lease vs. Let Office Space FAQ
The differences between leasing and letting office space in the UK
Office leasing and renting (letting) are two terms often used interchangeably to describe a business tenancy, although there are some important differences in how these workspace arrangements work and in their legal implications.
Summary of differences between leasing and renting office space
- Leases are long-term, fixed-period contracts
- Leases grant a number of rights similar to those of the property owner
- With a lease, the tenant has exclusive property rights
- Leasing tenants have responsibilities to perform repairs and maintenance
- Rental (let) agreements do not grant exclusive possession rights
- Rent agreements cover shorter periods than leases
- Tenants who are renting aren't responsible for property upkeep
Quick facts - Leasing office space in the UK
- The standard commercial property lease is 7 to 10 years
- Leasing rights include exclusive possession, determining who can access the property, alterations and renovations, and lease transfers
- Exclusive possession rights of leases are granted by contract stipulations or the Land Registry
- Leaseholders are required to perform necessary repairs, and regular maintenance, of both the interior and exterior of the property
An office lease agreement is a long-term or fixed-period contract. The duration of these contracts can be as long as 99 years although, in commercial properties, 7 to 10 years is the standard.
Office space leases grant rights similar to those of owners
More importantly, long lease duration creates a series of rights over the property in question. For example, this arrangement entitles the tenant to hold the exclusive possession of the space.
This means that the occupier is free to determine who can access the property and under which circumstances, as well as make changes to the premises (renovations, alterations, etc.). Exclusive possession also allows the tenant to transfer the lease to a third party, although this usually requires the landlord's consent.
With legally binding rights, come legally binding responsibilities
Exclusive possession is legally created either via contractual agreement or by registering the lease with the Land Registry. However, it's important to note that exclusive possession may or may not apply to other areas of the building, such as lifts, outdoor areas, walkways, etc.
Long-term commercial leases create duties and responsibilities on the tenant's side. Among those include the duty to perform repairs and maintenance work within the scope defined in the lease agreement.
Office space rental agreements in the UK
On the other hand, an office rental agreement (sometimes referred to as a let) does not grant the tenant exclusive possession rights. These remain the prerogative of the landlord or owner. Another difference is that office rental agreements often cover a shorter period than leases. In the United Kingdom, the average office let duration is 3 years.
Office lets or rentals don't require the tenant to be responsible for the upkeep of the property, since the landlord carries out maintenance and repairs as needed. UK property law stipulates that landlords are obligated to do this maintenance if rental agreements are under 7 years.
The obligation applies to both the interior and exterior of the property, as well as fixtures deemed essential to the functioning of the premises, such as boilers, heating, air conditioning, water and electrical supply, sanitation facilities, etc.
Renting office space in the UK, major takeaways
- Renting tenants do not have exclusive possession rights of the property
- Rental agreements cover an average of 3 years in the UK
- With shorter term and less property rights, also come fewer responsibilities
- Landlords in the UK are required by law to conduct necessary maintenance if the rental agreement period is less than 7 years
- Maintenance obligations for landlords of rental property cover the interior, exterior, and essential fixtures like heating, A/C, boilers, plumbing and sanitation
Despite sounding similar, property licences and leases are different
In many ways, a licence is similar to a rental or letting agreement.
A licence authorises an individual or business to occupy the premises for a specific purpose, and unlike a lease, it doesn't grant the occupier exclusive possession rights. Licences are short to medium-term occupancy schemes, lasting approximately 2 years, and may not be renewed at the end of the term unless otherwise agreed between tenant and landlord.
Licences may be entered into via a written agreement, but this isn't always the case
By contrast, leases require the existence of a written contract. Unlike leases, licences cannot be transferred, and the upkeep, maintenance, and repairs are the landlord's responsibility.
There are different advantages between leasing and renting office space
- Lease agreements tend to involve lower monthly costs than rentals or lets
- Because of their long duration, it's common for office leases to include a rent-free period
- Leases favour those looking for certainty and security in their tenancy agreement
- Office rentals have shorter notice periods and thus offer more flexibility
- Renting (letting) may suit businesses that need to set up temporary operations or work on medium-term projects
- Rentals eliminate the need to invest in repairs or maintenance work
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