Why is a schedule of condition important in a commercial lease?

A schedule of condition records the state of the premises at lease start, usually with photographs. It can limit the tenant’s repair obligation so the tenant does not have to put the property into better condition than shown in the schedule.

Can a tenant be responsible for defects that existed before the lease began?

A tenant can be liable for pre-existing disrepair if the lease requires the premises to be put and kept in repair, unless liability is limited by wording such as a schedule of condition or specific exclusions.

What are dilapidations in a commercial lease?

A dilapidations claim is a landlord’s claim for breach of repairing, decorating, reinstatement or yielding-up obligations. It is commonly made near or after lease expiry and may involve a schedule of dilapidations and a financial settlement.

Can a commercial lease require the tenant to redecorate?

Yes. Many commercial leases require periodic internal and external redecoration at specified intervals and again at lease end. The lease should state standards, colours, timing and whether landlord approval is needed.

Who is responsible for roof repairs in a commercial lease?

Responsibility for roof repairs depends on the lease. In an FRI lease the tenant may be responsible, while in multi-let buildings the landlord may repair the roof and recover costs through the service charge.

Who is responsible for legal compliance and safety maintenance in commercial premises?

Statutory compliance clauses often require compliance with health and safety, fire safety, building, environmental and accessibility laws. The lease should allocate responsibility for compliance works and related costs clearly.

How do service charges relate to repair and maintenance obligations?

A service charge is a payment by the tenant towards landlord costs for repairing, maintaining, managing and insuring shared or retained parts of a building or estate. The lease should define recoverable costs, caps, accounting and challenge rights.

Do alterations affect repair obligations in a commercial lease?

Alterations usually require landlord consent and may create reinstatement or repair obligations. Tenants should check whether they must remove alterations, make good damage and return the premises to the required condition at lease end.

What happens if a commercial tenant does not carry out required repairs?

If a tenant fails to repair, the landlord may have rights to claim damages, serve notices, recover costs, draw on a rent deposit, refuse consent, or in serious cases pursue forfeiture if the lease permits it.

What should be included in a commercial lease repair clause?

A repair clause should clearly identify the premises, structural and non-structural obligations, services, common parts, statutory compliance, decoration, service charges, schedules of condition, insurance exclusions and end-of-term yielding-up requirements.

Are commercial lease repair obligations the same across the United Kingdom?

The UK includes separate legal systems, and commercial lease rules may differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Lease wording, local law and professional advice are important for repair and maintenance obligations.

Does building insurance cover repair obligations in a commercial lease?

Insurance usually covers insured risks such as fire, flood or storm damage, but not ordinary wear, lack of maintenance or uninsured losses. The lease should state who insures, who pays premiums and who repairs after insured damage.

What should tenants check before agreeing repair obligations in a commercial lease?

Before signing, tenants should inspect the property, review the repair clause, negotiate a schedule of condition, check service charge exposure, identify structural liabilities, assess statutory compliance costs and understand dilapidations risk.

EN-GB>Commercial>Commercial Lease Agreement>UK Commercial Lease Repair Obligations

Commercial Lease Repair And Maintenance Obligations In The United Kingdom

Created: 12 Jun 2026

Understand key repair and maintenance duties in commercial leases and how they affect landlords and tenants. This guide complements our AI Generated British Commercial Tenancy Agreement resources, helping you review obligations more confidently.

Repair topic	Obligation summary	Area covered	Common variations	Supporting evidence
Tenant obligation
Full repairing lease	Tenant keeps the premises in repair and may be liable even if disrepair existed at the start.	Whole property	Often limited by schedule of condition, fair wear and tear, insured risks or landlord retained parts.	Schedule of condition, pre-lease survey, photographs, heads of terms.
Internal repair	Tenant repairs and maintains internal non-structural parts of the demised premises.	Internal areas	May exclude structural walls, roofs, main services, latent defects and fair wear and tear.	Lease plan, internal condition schedule, inventory, contractor reports.
Depends on lease structure
External repair	Repair of roof, walls, foundations, windows, doors, drains and external surfaces.	External structure	Landlord retained in multi-let buildings tenant responsible in whole-building FRI leases.	Building survey, roof report, drainage survey, photographs, lease demise plan.
Structural repair	Covers foundations, load-bearing walls, beams, columns, roof structure and main structural elements.	External structure	Often landlord responsibility in multi-let property, recovered through service charge.	Structural survey, engineer report, lease plan, service charge provisions.
Roof repair	Responsibility for roof coverings, gutters, downpipes, flashings, rooflights and roof structure.	External structure	May exclude roof structure or be limited by schedule of condition or insured risks.	Roof survey, drone photographs, maintenance logs, leak records.
Windows and glazing	Repair or replacement of glass, frames, shopfronts, seals and opening mechanisms.	External structure	Shopfront glass often tenant responsibility structural frames may remain landlord responsibility.	Photographs, glazing certificates, shopfront drawings, breakage reports.
Doors, shutters and access systems	Repair of entrance doors, fire doors, roller shutters, locks, keypads and access controls.	Fixtures and fittings	Tenant usually responsible for exclusive doors landlord for common entrance systems.	Maintenance logs, access records, contractor invoices, fire door inspection reports.
Tenant obligation
Floors and floor coverings	Repair of floor finishes, raised floors, screeds and sometimes floor structure within the demise.	Internal areas	Structural slabs may be excluded wear from ordinary footfall may be treated differently.	Condition schedule, flooring specification, photographs, fit-out drawings.
Ceilings and suspended ceilings	Repair of ceiling finishes, tiles, grids, access panels and tenant-installed ceiling systems.	Internal areas	Damage from roof leaks may be excluded if landlord controls roof repair.	Photographs, water ingress reports, fit-out plans, maintenance records.
Internal walls and partitions	Repair and maintenance of plaster, finishes, demountable partitions and non-structural internal walls.	Internal areas	Structural and load-bearing walls usually excluded unless expressly demised.	Lease plan, fit-out drawings, photographs, reinstatement licence.
Internal decoration	Tenant redecorates internal surfaces at intervals and at lease end using suitable materials.	Internal areas	Intervals commonly every three to five years final decoration often in last months of term.	Decoration schedule, paint specifications, dated photographs, invoices.
Depends on lease structure
External decoration	Painting, treating or finishing external joinery, metalwork, render and exposed surfaces.	External structure	Landlord may undertake through service charge tenant may control shopfront decoration.	Cyclical maintenance schedule, photographs, contractor specifications, service charge accounts.
Services and utilities	Repair of pipes, cables, meters, drainage, water, gas, electricity and data infrastructure serving the premises.	Fixtures and fittings	Tenant usually repairs exclusive services landlord repairs shared mains or risers.	Service plans, meter records, contractor reports, compliance certificates.
HVAC systems	Maintenance and repair of boilers, chillers, air conditioning, ventilation and controls.	Fixtures and fittings	Tenant may maintain exclusive units landlord may manage central plant via service charge.	PPM records, F-gas records, commissioning certificates, service contracts.
Tenant obligation
Electrical installations	Keep wiring, distribution boards, lighting and electrical equipment safe and in working order.	Fixtures and fittings	Landlord may retain shared electrical systems tenant commonly obtains EICR and PAT records.	EICR, PAT records, lighting certificates, maintenance invoices.
Depends on lease structure
Gas installations	Maintain gas appliances, pipework and flues safely where included in the demise or under control.	Fixtures and fittings	Control and occupation affect statutory duties lease may require annual gas safety checks.	Gas safety record, service invoices, appliance inventory, contractor reports.
Tenant obligation
Water and plumbing	Repair sinks, WCs, taps, tanks, internal pipework and sanitary fittings serving the premises.	Fixtures and fittings	Shared risers, mains and plant may be landlord retained and service charge recoverable.	Plumbing reports, leak records, service contracts, photographs.
Depends on lease structure
Drainage and sewers	Keep drains, gullies, traps, grease interceptors and private sewers clear and repaired.	Whole property	Tenant responsible for blockages caused by use landlord may repair shared underground drainage.	CCTV drainage survey, blockage reports, grease trap records, drainage plans.
Shared obligation
Fire safety equipment	Maintain fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, sprinklers, signage and escape route systems.	Whole property	Tenant usually responsible within premises landlord manages common systems and common parts.	Fire risk assessment, alarm test logs, emergency lighting certificates, extinguisher service records.
Depends on lease structure
Asbestos management	Dutyholder must manage asbestos risk in non-domestic premises and keep suitable records.	Whole property	Duty may fall on landlord, tenant or both depending on control and repair duties.	Asbestos survey, asbestos register, management plan, removal certificates.
Shared obligation
Statutory compliance	Comply with laws affecting occupation, use, repair, safety and alterations to the premises.	Whole property	Tenant covers occupational compliance landlord covers retained structure and common parts.	Compliance audit, certificates, risk assessments, licences, notices from authorities.
Health and safety at work	Occupiers and employers must manage workplace safety risks arising from premises and equipment.	Whole property	Lease covenants may allocate costs, but statutory duties can still follow control and occupation.	Risk assessments, inspection logs, maintenance records, incident reports.
Fire safety legal duties	Responsible persons must assess and manage fire risks in non-domestic premises.	Whole property	Landlord often covers common parts tenant covers occupied premises and work activities.	Fire risk assessment, evacuation plan, alarm logs, inspection records.
Landlord obligation
Minimum energy efficiency standards	Commercial landlords generally cannot let sub-standard non-domestic property without a valid exemption.	Whole property	Lease may restrict tenant works that reduce EPC rating or allocate energy improvement costs.	EPC, recommendation report, exemption register evidence, works invoices.
Insured risks damage	Damage by insured risks is usually covered by landlord insurance, not ordinary tenant repair.	Whole property	Tenant may remain liable for uninsured excess, exclusions, non-insurance or damage caused by tenant fault.	Insurance policy, claims correspondence, reinstatement specification, loss adjuster report.
Depends on lease structure
Uninsured risks	Allocates responsibility where damage occurs from a risk not covered by building insurance.	Whole property	May allow termination if reinstatement is uneconomic or insurance is unavailable.	Insurance exclusions, broker letters, surveyor report, reinstatement cost estimate.
Shared obligation
Service charge repairs	Landlord repairs retained parts and recovers allowable costs from tenants through service charge.	Common parts	Caps, exclusions, sinking funds, reserve funds, improvement restrictions and apportionment rules.	Service charge budget, accounts, invoices, managing agent reports, RICS code references.
Landlord obligation
Common parts maintenance	Maintenance of entrances, lobbies, stairs, lifts, corridors, yards, toilets and shared facilities.	Common parts	Cost usually recovered by service charge standards may be reasonable or good estate management.	Estate regulations, maintenance schedule, service charge accounts, inspection reports.
Lift maintenance	Inspection, servicing and repair of passenger, goods or platform lifts serving the premises.	Common parts	Exclusive tenant lift may be tenant responsibility shared lift costs usually service charge.	LOLER reports, service contract, call-out logs, insurance inspection reports.
Shared obligation
Accessibility and reasonable adjustments	Service providers and employers may need reasonable adjustments for disabled access and use.	Whole property	Alterations may need landlord consent common part changes often require landlord involvement.	Access audit, consent application, risk assessment, works specification.
Tenant obligation
Alterations maintenance	Tenant maintains authorised alterations and additions and may need to remove them at lease end.	Fixtures and fittings	Licence for alterations may impose reinstatement, certification and landlord approval conditions.	Licence for alterations, plans, completion certificates, reinstatement specification.
Reinstatement	Tenant removes alterations, partitions, signage and fit-out and restores premises as required.	Whole property	Only required if landlord serves notice may be waived or limited by alterations licence.	Alterations licences, reinstatement notices, original layout plans, terminal schedule of dilapidations.
Yielding up	Tenant returns the premises at lease end in the condition required by repair covenants.	Whole property	May require vacant possession, removal of goods, key return and compliance with reinstatement notices.	Check-out report, terminal dilapidations schedule, photographs, key handover receipt.
Dilapidations	Claims for breach of repair, decoration, reinstatement or yielding-up obligations during or after the term.	Whole property	Interim, terminal or final schedules claims may be limited by diminution in value rules.	Schedule of dilapidations, Scott schedule, surveyor reports, photographs, costings.
Depends on lease structure
Dilapidations damages cap	Damages for disrepair may be capped by the reduction in the landlord's reversionary value.	Whole property	Relevant where landlord claims money after lease end rather than requiring works during term.	Valuation evidence, diminution report, dilapidations schedule, repair cost estimates.
Tenant obligation
Schedule of condition	Records initial condition and can prevent the tenant owing improvements beyond that condition.	Whole property	Must be clearly incorporated into repair, decoration and yielding-up clauses.	Photographic schedule, surveyor narrative, dated plans, signed lease annexure.
Depends on lease structure
Fair wear and tear	Excludes ordinary deterioration from normal use if expressly written into the covenant.	Whole property	Often excluded from decoration or yielding up less common in full repairing covenants.	Condition photographs, usage records, maintenance logs, surveyor opinion.
Latent defects	Hidden construction or design defects may cause disrepair unless expressly excluded or covered by warranties.	Whole property	Tenant may seek exclusion, warranty rights or landlord responsibility for inherent defects.	Building survey, defect reports, warranties, construction documents, expert evidence.
Inherent defects	Original design, workmanship or material defects that may later require repair or replacement.	Whole property	Exclusion may cover remedying the defect but not consequential damage to tenant areas.	Patent defect list, collateral warranties, structural reports, maintenance history.
Repair versus renewal	Determines whether covenant requires patching, substantial replacement or renewal of worn elements.	Whole property	Lease may expressly include replacement where beyond economic repair.	Surveyor report, cost comparison, photographs, maintenance records, expert opinion.
Improvements and upgrades	Works improving rather than repairing the property may be treated differently from recoverable repairs.	Whole property	Service charge may exclude improvements unless required by law or good estate management.	Service charge clause, works specification, surveyor report, consultation documents.
Shared obligation
Preventative maintenance	Regular servicing and inspections to prevent deterioration and keep systems operational.	Whole property	Lease may require planned preventative maintenance contracts for plant and equipment.	PPM schedule, service contracts, inspection reports, maintenance logs.
Landlord obligation
Landlord inspection and entry	Landlord may enter on notice to inspect condition, repair retained parts or check compliance.	Whole property	Emergency entry without notice tenant must not obstruct reasonable access.	Entry notices, inspection reports, photographs, correspondence.
Tenant obligation
Notice to repair	Landlord may require tenant to remedy disrepair within a specified period after notice.	Whole property	If tenant fails, landlord may enter, do works and recover costs as a debt.	Repair notice, inspection schedule, contractor quotes, proof of service.
Depends on lease structure
Landlord self-help works	Landlord performs tenant's overdue repairs and recovers costs where lease permits.	Whole property	May require prior notice and reasonable time costs may include surveyor and professional fees.	Notices, invoices, surveyor certificates, before and after photographs.
Tenant obligation
Notification of defects	Tenant promptly reports defects, damage or hazards affecting the premises or landlord retained parts.	Whole property	Often linked to insured risks, leaks, structural issues, plant failure and statutory notices.	Email notices, defect logs, photographs, incident reports, helpdesk tickets.
Shared obligation
Waste and refuse areas	Keep bin stores, waste areas, compactors and trade waste facilities clean and usable.	Common parts	Tenant handles its trade waste landlord may manage shared refuse areas through service charge.	Waste transfer notes, cleaning logs, service charge records, photographs.
Pest control	Prevent and treat infestations affecting hygiene, fabric, occupation or neighbouring premises.	Whole property	Tenant liable if caused by use landlord liable for structural entry points or shared areas.	Pest reports, treatment logs, hygiene inspections, photographs, contractor invoices.
Depends on lease structure
Landscaping and grounds	Maintain yards, landscaped areas, car parks, paths, boundary planting and external estate areas.	Common parts	Exclusive yard may be tenant responsibility estate areas usually landlord service charge.	Site plan, grounds contract, service charge budget, photographs.
Car parks and hardstanding	Repair surfaces, markings, lighting, barriers, drains, kerbs and pedestrian routes.	Common parts	Exclusive demised parking may be tenant responsibility shared estate parking usually landlord managed.	Lease plan, surface survey, accident reports, maintenance records.
Boundaries, fences and gates	Repair perimeter walls, fences, gates, bollards and security barriers within the demise.	External structure	Boundary ownership and estate layout may determine responsibility security upgrades may need consent.	Title plan, lease plan, boundary survey, photographs, repair invoices.
Tenant obligation
Signage	Maintain, clean and remove tenant signs, fascia boards, projecting signs and branding.	Fixtures and fittings	May require planning advertisement consent, landlord consent and end-of-term removal.	Signage consent, photographs, planning records, installation invoices.
Shopfront maintenance	Maintain retail frontage, display windows, doors, fascias, shutters and customer entrance areas.	External structure	Landlord may control appearance, materials, colours and signage under tenant handbook.	Shopfront drawings, photographs, landlord approvals, glazing and shutter records.
Plate glass	Tenant repairs or insures large display glass and shopfront glazing against breakage.	External structure	May require immediate boarding-up, replacement to matching standard and insurance policy evidence.	Plate glass policy, photographs, replacement invoices, incident reports.
Depends on lease structure
Damp and water ingress	Identify and remedy leaks, condensation, penetrating damp or rising damp affecting the premises.	Whole property	Cause determines responsibility: roof, structure, plumbing, occupation practices or lack of ventilation.	Damp survey, leak trace report, photographs, humidity logs, contractor findings.
Shared obligation
Mould and condensation	Manage moisture, ventilation and surface conditions to prevent mould and deterioration.	Internal areas	Tenant use may cause condensation building defects or poor ventilation may be landlord issues.	Ventilation reports, humidity readings, photographs, cleaning records, expert survey.
Depends on lease structure
Environmental contamination	Contaminated land liabilities can arise from historic condition, tenant use or statutory remediation duties.	Whole property	Lease may allocate clean-up duties and prohibit contamination, hazardous storage or polluting use.	Environmental report, baseline survey, spill records, remediation notices, permits.
Tenant obligation
Hazardous substances storage	Occupiers using hazardous substances must control risks and maintain safe storage arrangements.	Internal areas	Lease may require bunding, spill kits, permits, landlord approval and end-of-term decontamination.	COSHH assessments, storage records, spill logs, permits, inspection reports.
Shared obligation
Legionella control	Assess and control legionella risk from water systems under the party's control.	Fixtures and fittings	Tenant controls local water systems landlord controls shared tanks, cooling towers and common services.	Legionella risk assessment, temperature logs, flushing records, water treatment reports.
Depends on lease structure
Cooling towers	Cooling towers and evaporative condensers require notification and ongoing water safety management.	Fixtures and fittings	Central plant usually landlord controlled tenant plant may be tenant responsibility.	Local authority notification, water treatment records, risk assessments, service logs.
Security systems	Maintain alarms, CCTV, access control, shutters, locks and security lighting.	Fixtures and fittings	Tenant systems usually tenant responsibility estate systems usually landlord service charge.	Alarm certificates, CCTV service logs, access control records, contractor invoices.
Tenant obligation
Data cabling and telecoms	Maintain tenant cabling, server room fittings, comms cabinets and telecoms installations.	Fixtures and fittings	Wayleave or landlord consent may be needed removal may be required on yielding up.	Cabling plans, wayleaves, landlord consents, installation certificates.
Depends on lease structure
Plant rooms	Repair and maintain plant rooms, housings, equipment bases, access panels and associated services.	Fixtures and fittings	Shared plant rooms usually landlord retained tenant plant may remain tenant responsibility.	Plant inventory, PPM records, lease plan, service charge schedules.
Meters and sub-meters	Maintain meters, sub-meters and related access needed to measure utilities consumption.	Fixtures and fittings	Utility company equipment may be outside both parties' direct repair duties.	Meter readings, installation records, utility bills, calibration certificates.
Landlord obligation
Landlord retained parts	Landlord repairs parts not demised to the tenant, such as structure, roofs and shared services.	Common parts	Costs often recoverable through service charge if properly within lease wording.	Demise plan, retained parts definition, service charge budget, inspection reports.
Tenant obligation
Tenant fixtures	Tenant maintains trade fixtures, counters, racking, equipment and removable business installations.	Fixtures and fittings	Removal allowed or required at lease end, with making good of damage.	Inventory, fit-out plans, installation invoices, reinstatement schedule.
Depends on lease structure
Landlord fixtures and base build	Repair of landlord-provided fixtures, base build systems and original fittings included in the demise.	Fixtures and fittings	Tenant may repair items in demise landlord may maintain central or shared systems.	Specification, inventory, handover pack, maintenance manuals.
Tenant obligation
Cleaning and cleanliness	Keep premises clean, tidy and free from dirt, rubbish, staining and avoidable deterioration.	Internal areas	Landlord may clean common parts and recover cost through service charge.	Cleaning schedules, hygiene records, photographs, contractor invoices.
Shared obligation
Green lease maintenance	Maintenance duties aimed at preserving energy efficiency, environmental performance and sustainable operation.	Whole property	May require data sharing, efficient plant operation and restrictions on wasteful alterations.	EPC, utility data, green lease memorandum, plant maintenance records.
Tenant obligation
Tenant damage	Tenant repairs damage caused by its staff, contractors, customers, visitors or business operations.	Whole property	May include damage to common parts caused by deliveries, fit-out or misuse.	Incident reports, CCTV, photographs, contractor invoices, correspondence.
Depends on lease structure
Third-party damage	Allocates repair responsibility for vandalism, burglary, vehicle impact or damage by unknown persons.	Whole property	May be insured risk, tenant risk or landlord estate responsibility depending on clause and location.	Police report, insurance claim, photographs, witness statements, repair invoices.
Shared obligation
Emergency repairs	Urgent works needed to prevent danger, serious damage, business interruption or statutory breach.	Whole property	Landlord may enter without notice tenant may need to notify immediately and mitigate loss.	Emergency call-out records, photographs, incident logs, invoices, insurer notices.
Tenant obligation
Break clause condition	Tenant break may depend on giving up occupation and sometimes complying with repair conditions.	Whole property	Modern drafting often avoids strict repair conditions and uses vacant possession or payment conditions.	Break notice, compliance checklist, surveyor inspection, handover evidence.
Holding over repairs	Repair obligations may continue while the tenant remains in occupation after contractual expiry.	Whole property	Depends on tenancy continuation, renewal rights and any agreed temporary occupation terms.	Expiry correspondence, renewal negotiations, inspection reports, occupation records.
Depends on lease structure
Renewal and repair condition	Premises condition and repair covenants can affect renewal negotiations and terms for business tenancies.	Whole property	New lease may update repairing standard, service charge machinery or schedules of condition.	Section 25 or 26 notices, survey reports, draft renewal lease, dilapidations evidence.
Tenant obligation
Forfeiture for disrepair	Landlord usually needs a section 146 notice before forfeiting for breach of repair covenant.	Whole property	Additional statutory protections may apply for repair breaches under long leases.	Section 146 notice, surveyor schedule, proof of breach, correspondence.
Shared obligation
Consent for repair works	Some repairs require landlord approval where they affect structure, appearance, services or common parts.	Whole property	Routine like-for-like repairs may not need consent structural works usually do.	Consent application, method statement, drawings, contractor credentials, landlord approval.
Planning and building control	Repair works may need planning permission, listed building consent or building regulations approval.	Whole property	Tenant often obtains consents for its works landlord consent remains separately required.	Planning decision, building control certificate, listed building consent, approved drawings.
Listed building repairs	Works affecting a listed building's character may need listed building consent before repair or alteration.	Whole property	Lease may require specialist materials, heritage approvals and landlord supervision.	Listed building consent, heritage statement, specialist survey, conservation officer correspondence.
Depends on lease structure
Party wall repair works	Certain works to party walls, boundaries or excavations require statutory notices and procedures.	External structure	Structural repairs may need landlord, neighbour and party wall surveyor involvement.	Party wall notices, awards, drawings, surveyor correspondence, condition schedules.
Shared obligation
CDM repair projects	Construction health and safety duties can apply to repair, maintenance, refurbishment and demolition works.	Whole property	Client duties may fall on landlord or tenant commissioning the works.	Construction phase plan, risk assessments, contractor appointments, health and safety file.
Tenant obligation
Work equipment maintenance	Work equipment must be suitable, maintained and inspected where deterioration may create risk.	Fixtures and fittings	Applies mainly to occupier's operational equipment rather than building fabric.	PUWER inspections, maintenance logs, equipment inventory, risk assessments.
Landlord obligation
Mixed-use residential repair duties	Residential parts may attract statutory repairing obligations not applicable to purely commercial space.	Whole property	Relevant to shop with flat above, live-work or mixed-use buildings.	Use plan, residential tenancy documents, condition reports, repair notices.
Depends on lease structure
Nuisance from disrepair	Disrepair causing leaks, smells, noise, pests or hazards may create nuisance or enforcement risk.	Whole property	Responsibility depends on source, control, tenant use and landlord retained parts.	Complaint records, council notices, photographs, expert reports, correspondence.
Dangerous structures	Local authorities can act where buildings or structures are dangerous and require urgent works.	External structure	Costs may be allocated between landlord and tenant under lease repair covenants.	Council notice, structural engineer report, emergency works invoices, photographs.

Who Usually Pays For Repairs Under A UK Commercial Lease?

The lease wording is decisive. In a full repairing and insuring lease, the tenant commonly takes on internal and external repair of the whole premises, while in a multi-let building the landlord usually repairs structure and common parts and recovers the cost through the service charge.

Why Is A Schedule Of Condition Important?

A schedule of condition can limit the tenant's repairing duty so the tenant is not required to put the property into better condition than shown at lease commencement. It is especially important where the property is old, already defective, or let on full repairing terms.

Which Repair Issues Need Extra Care Before Signing?

Structure, roof, damp and services can create large liabilities if included in the tenant's repairing covenant.
Decoration, reinstatement and yielding up affect end-of-term dilapidations and should match the permitted use and fit-out plans.
Statutory compliance, fire safety, asbestos and energy performance should be allocated clearly because legal duties may apply alongside contractual lease obligations.
Service charge wording should be checked for caps, exclusions, consultation duties and whether works are repairs, improvements or replacements.

Commercial lease repair and maintenance obligations

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FAQs

What are repair obligations in a UK commercial lease?

Repair obligations in a UK commercial lease usually state who must keep the premises, structure, exterior, services and common parts in repair. The wording of the lease is critical, as obligations can range from internal-only repairs to a full repairing and insuring lease.

What is the difference between repair and maintenance in a commercial lease?

What is a full repairing and insuring lease?

What repairs is a commercial tenant usually responsible for?

What repairs is a commercial landlord usually responsible for?

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