Stay on top of compliance
Commercial property compliance is more demanding than ever. EPC ratings, fire safety, asbestos surveys, electrical and gas certifications — each has its own renewal cycle and consequences for non-compliance.
The most common mistake we see is landlords assuming compliance is "handled" by tenants under FRI lease terms. It often isn't. Even where the lease assigns responsibility, the landlord remains exposed if work isn't done or evidence isn't kept.
Build a compliance register for every asset. Diarise renewal dates. Audit annually. The cost is minimal — the cost of getting it wrong can be enormous.
Plan for rent reviews early
Rent reviews are one of the highest-leverage moments in a commercial lease. Get them right and you can step rents to market. Get them wrong — or miss the window — and you can lose years of growth.
The key is preparation. Start gathering market evidence at least six months before the review date. Identify comparables. Understand your tenant's position. And don't assume your tenant will remind you the date is coming.
Treat voids as a strategic risk
Void periods are often treated as bad luck. They're not. They're usually the predictable consequence of decisions made months or years earlier — lease structure, presentation, marketing strategy, pricing.
The best way to minimise voids is to think about them well before a lease ends. Engage your tenant early about renewal intentions. Have marketing materials ready. Know your re-letting strategy.
Don't over-commit on lease length
Long leases feel safe but can lock in below-market terms or problematic tenants. Shorter leases with clear break clauses give you flexibility — and the option to step rents more frequently.
The right balance depends on your asset, the market, and your investment horizon. There's no universal answer.
Have a fast escalation path for arrears
Arrears are normal. What separates well-managed assets from poorly managed ones is the speed of response.
Day one, day seven, day fourteen, day twenty-one — have a clear, documented escalation process. The longer arrears are left, the harder they are to recover.