Security of Tenure

Business tenants in England and Wales automatically have the right to renew their leases when they expire. This is known as security of tenure and leases that are covered are termed “protected tenancies or protected leases”.

It is possible to exclude, or contract out, of this right, but only at the start of a lease. This is usually required by Landlords for shorter leases or where they hold the property as a tenant themselves and will need to hand back the property to their landlords in the future.

There are certain circumstances where a landlord can claim possession at the end of a protected lease including where they want to occupy the property themselves or where they have plans to redevelop the property.