Landlord and tenant

Acting for landlords and tenants forms a key component of our leading real estate practice. We have a well-deserved reputation for offering pragmatic and commercially focused advice.

No matter what the problem is, you can be confident that our experts have seen it before and will take you through it. We will draw on our expertise to take you through the challenges you may face in the market and find the quickest and most effective solution for you and your advisers.
  • Profile
  • Experience
  • Key contacts

We have extensive experience helping landlord clients enhance and manage their assets to their full potential. When a client makes an investment acquisition, we see this as the start of a partnership and following the acquisition we work with the client to implement their strategy for the asset.

When it comes to corporate occupier clients, we secure for them institutionally acceptable leases, ensuring they are clear as to the key obligations they are taking on. Where it is relevant, we also advise clients on how to achieve flexibility in their leases for future expansion and/or contraction.

Whether managing the leases at a shopping centre or in a multi-let office building, pre-letting a development scheme, structuring finance leases or advising occupiers on a new headquarters, we offer expertise in handling both smaller and more complex issues and provide practical advice to navigate through these potentially challenging areas.

Our talented and committed real estate team works collaboratively with other teams within our firm to provide specialised, tailored advice in litigation, construction, planning, environment and tax.

"The solicitors involved in our work are very competent and progressive looking at the wider picture in order to move transactions along to a successful conclusion."

The Legal 500 UK 2022

Schroders Real Estate

Advising SREIT and SREF on their large mixed-use portfolios, which include shopping centres, industrial estates and office blocks, covering new lettings, re-gears and asset management. In particular, we advised recently on securing a major pre-let agreement with the Government Property Agency on a 25-year lease at Two Ruskin Square, in London; the £45 million purchase and forward funding agreement for One Cambridge Square, a development site in Cambridge; and the sale of Palace House, a 45,012 sq ft. office and retail building situated on the South Bank for £48.8 million.

M&G

Advising in respect of a large, geographically diverse light industrial portfolio, including all asset management transactions, developments, and investment sale and purchases.

The Langham Estate

Advising on the management of this client’s mixed-use portfolio which comprises over 100 properties, many multi-let, situated in the West End of London, including the areas of Great Portland Street and Oxford Street.

Aver Property

Advising on the acquisition, development, letting/pre-letting and disposal of this portfolio of 9 logistics sites.

Royce Motor Cars

Advising Rolls – Royce Motor cars on its occupational requirements on the Soodwood Estate, west Sussex.

Tristan Capital Partners Rolls – Royce Motor Cars

Advising a number of funds across all real estate sectors. This includes sales, purchases, and asset management initiatives, but has often also involved dealing with insolvency matters and implementing intensive development plans. We acted for this client on the purchase of the landmark mixed use building The Cube in Birmingham and now deal with all letting and management activities at the scheme.

Pho Trading Limited

Advising on the acquisition of various occupational interests for Pho restaurants, as part of their ambitious and fast paced strategy to acquire restaurants in London and regional target cities.

Private foundation

Advising a private foundation on its portfolio of multi-let assets in London and Cardiff, including lettings, re-gears and refinancing.

M7 Real Estate

Advising on the management of a large portfolio of industrial estates including sales, lettings, re-gears and general day-to-day asset management issues.

Alderstar Limited

Managing lettings and other asset management matters in respect of Aldermary House, London EC4.

Lawyer

Catriona Berman Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2568
M:  Email Catriona | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

Simon Brading Partner and head of real estate

T:  +44 20 7809 2525
M:  +44 7557 284 641 Email Simon | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

Stephen Laud Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2514
M:  +44 7717 341 733 Email Stephen | Vcard Office:  London

Lawyer

David Sinclair Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2025
M:  +44 7767 646 614 Email David Office:  London

Latest news & insights

21 Sep 2023

From Insights

Current spotlight - Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete ("RAAC")

The current spotlight on the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete ("RAAC") started with concerns raised in relation to schools and the subsequent guidance on ..

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06 Sep 2023

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01 Aug 2023

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Economic Crime – Register of Overseas Entities – Don't forget to update!

You're a fund manager. Your fund vehicle is an overseas entity and you're looking to buy a property from another overseas entity in the coming weeks.

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03 May 2023

From Insights

Nuisance – you can overlook it…

Considerations for unusual developments

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01 Jul 2021

From Insights

Losing the right to forfeit – DON’T take the money!

You’re the landlord of a good quality office block. The various floors of the block are let to several different tenants, and your relationship with the tenants is goo..

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02 Mar 2021

From Insights

Break clauses – the importance of giving vacant possession… and what we can learn from Goldilocks

You’re the landlord of a property in a location where re-lettings are proving difficult at the moment. Rents have fallen and there are several similar properties near ..

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09 Dec 2020

From Insights

Moratorium on forfeiture for non-payment of rent and winding-up petitions extended until 31 March 2021

The Government has today announced that it will extend, yet again, until 31 March 2021 the moratoria on: forfeiture on grounds of non-payment of rent or other sums due..

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07 Dec 2020

From Insights

Important – Imminent deadline for serving s.17 notices

There is a deadline fast approaching for the service of a notice to retain your right to claim June quarter arrears from a former tenant or former guarantor.

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02 Nov 2020

From Insights

Unfair restraint?

You’re an investor and you’re keen to buy a competitively priced shopping centre. With the difficult trading environment for retail, exacerbated by Covid, you find one..

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28 Oct 2020

From News

Stephenson Harwood advises Schroder UK Real Estate Fund on Arrival UK headquarters expansion deal

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Schroder UK Real Estate Fund (SREF), in its role as landlord, on a deal with Arrival to increase its office letting at SREF..

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19 Jun 2020

From Insights

Further restrictions on pursuing rent arrears

The Government has today announced that it will extend protection to tenants.

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13 May 2020

From Insights

Reopening of premises: key points for landlords

COVID-19 presents a rapidly evolving situation. Landlords need to be able to respond quickly, so here is the key information that you need to know if you are thinking ..

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28 Apr 2020

From Insights

Fresh restrictions on pursuing rent arrears

The Government has just announced that it will introduce restrictions on landlords pursuing commercial tenants for rent arrears. These are in addition to the restrict..

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24 Mar 2020

From Insights

Moratorium on forfeiture

You may have seen in this morning’s press an important development that will impact on a landlord’s options for dealing with premises.

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20 Mar 2020

From Insights

Forced and voluntary closure of premises: key points for landlords

Covid-19 presents a rapidly evolving situation. Landlords need to be able to respond quickly, so here is the key information that you need to know if you are thinking ..

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02 Jan 2020

From Insights

A new lease of life - Why a restrictive covenant in a lease may not be the end of the matter

You’re a property fund manager looking to unlock value from your portfolio. Amongst your assets you have an office block which you hold on a long lease. The block has ..

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© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.