News and Articles

Keeping your planning permission alive

30 April 2020 A developer, even of a small project like an extension to a property, has five years from the grant of planning permission to commence either the operational development or the material change of use.... READ

Act introduces protection for business tenants

21 April 2020 The Coronavirus Act 2020 has introduced protections for business tenants in Northern Ireland who are struggling to cover rent charges on their commercial leases due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The lockdown introduced by government... READ

A Sign of the Times!

04 December 2019 A tenant of commercial premises will normally expect to display signs at or near his premises indicating the name and nature of his business and any promotional events.  In the unusual event that the... READ

Break options in leases – avoid ‘breaking bad’ by ensuring they are properly drafted.

24 October 2019 A break clause in a commercial lease allows either a Tenant or a Landlord to terminate a lease early i.e.. before expiry of the Term. Whilst tenant-only break clauses are more common in commercial... READ

Drink up! The current state of liquor licensing laws for Northern Ireland.

18 September 2019 There are thousands of Irish Pubs across the world from ‘The Dublin’ in Ushuaia, Argentina to Tir Na Nog in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia with many Irish tourists seeking refuge from local beers with an... READ

GIFTED DEPOSIT? – OR IS IT A LOAN?

27 August 2019 As part of your purchase transaction your solicitor will ask you to confirm how you are funding the purchase, usually by way of completing some sort of money laundering form.  For first time buyers,... READ

The changing world of retail leases.

31 July 2019 You could be forgiven for thinking that it’s all gloom and doom on the high street and the list of retailer casualties in the last year or so is certainly long and getting longer.... READ

The key differences between a lease and a licence…

29 May 2019 Do you have a lease or a licence? Why is it important? A licence (in respect of land or property) is permission to do something with that land which would otherwise be deemed trespass.... READ

The value of break clauses in a commercial lease

16 April 2019 With the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union looming on the horizon, surrounded by a storm of disagreement and the risk of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, uncertainty remains a constant for businesses located... READ

Is your occupancy secure?

26 March 2019 Most occupiers of business premises will be aware that they have certain protections afforded to them under the provisions of the Business Tenancies (NI) Order 1996. Amongst other provisions, the Order allows a tenant... READ