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Commercial property disputes can arise at any stage of a lease, transaction or investment, and, if not correctly addressed, they often carry significant financial and operational consequences for landlords, tenants and business owners.
Our specialist commercial property dispute solicitors at SMR provide clear, strategic advice to help clients resolve disputes efficiently and protect their commercial interests. Whether you are dealing with unpaid rent, lease breaches or dilapidations claims, we work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome while minimising disruption to your business.
Our commercial property litigation solicitors provide advice and representation across a wide range of disputes, including:
- Commercial landlord and tenant disputes
- Rent arrears recovery
- Service charge disputes and enforcement
- Commercial lease renewals
- Dilapidations claims
- Breach of covenant matters
Speak to our commercial property dispute solicitors in West Sussex
To discuss your situation and find out how we can help, please get in touch to speak to one of our expert commercial property dispute solicitors.
- BOGNOR REGIS - 01243 860323
- CHICHESTER - 01243 780211
- EAST WITTERING - 01243 671782
- SELSEY - 01243 602832
Our commercial property litigation services
Commercial property disputes have the potential to be highly complex, particularly where valuable assets, business premises or long-term lease arrangements are involved.
Our commercial property dispute lawyers provide practical advice and robust representation, whether you are seeking to enforce your rights, defend a claim, or negotiate a resolution without the need for court proceedings wherever possible.
Commercial landlord and tenant disputes
Disputes between landlords and tenants are one of the most common areas of commercial property litigation. Issues often arise over matters such as lease interpretation, repair obligations, rent payments or tenant conduct, which can be difficult to resolve without expert legal intervention.
Whether you are a landlord or tenant, our commercial property dispute solicitors can advise on your rights under the lease, negotiate settlements with the other party, and take enforcement action where necessary to protect your position.
Rent arrears recovery
Rent arrears can place significant strain on landlords and may require swift legal action to prevent losses escalating.
We advise landlords on the most effective recovery options, including negotiated repayment, forfeiture, statutory demands and court proceedings where appropriate. After the correct strategy has been identified, we will ensure that all steps are taken in accordance with lease terms and commercial property law.
Service charge disputes and enforcement
Service charge disputes often arise where tenants challenge the level, reasonableness or calculation of charges.
Our commercial property dispute solicitors can assist landlords in recovering unpaid service charges and ensuring that service charge provisions are enforced correctly. We also advise tenants seeking to dispute unreasonable or improperly demanded charges.
Commercial lease renewals
Lease renewals can become contentious, particularly where parties disagree over rent, lease terms or whether renewal rights apply under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
Our solicitors provide expert advice throughout the renewal process, helping clients negotiate favourable terms or resolve disputes through court applications where required.
Dilapidations claims
Dilapidations claims commonly arise at the end of a lease, where landlords seek compensation for disrepair or breaches of repair obligations and tenants disagree on how these are being applied.
We advise both landlords and tenants on dilapidations schedules, negotiations, and dispute resolution to ensure claims are handled fairly and effectively.
Breach of covenant matters
A breach of covenant for a commercial property may involve unauthorised alterations, subletting, failure to repair, or other lease violations.
Our commercial property litigation team can advise on enforcement options, including injunctions, damages claims or lease termination where appropriate. We always seek to resolve matters efficiently while protecting your commercial objectives.
Frequently asked questions about commercial property disputes
What is considered a commercial property dispute?
A commercial property dispute is any disagreement relating to business premises or commercial land, often involving lease obligations, rent payments, repairs, boundaries or contractual breaches.
Such disputes may arise between landlords and tenants, business partners, developers or neighbouring landowners.
What is the difference between a commercial and residential property dispute?
Commercial property disputes relate to business premises or investment property, while residential disputes involve homes and private living arrangements.
Commercial disputes are often governed by different legislation, lease structures and financial considerations, making specialist legal advice essential.
What are my rights if my commercial tenant is in breach of contract?
If a tenant breaches the lease, landlords may have several remedies depending on the terms of the agreement. These can include recovering arrears, seeking damages, forfeiting the lease or applying for an injunction.
Our solicitors can advise on the most appropriate course of action.
Can a commercial property sale be disputed after closing?
Yes, disputes can potentially arise after completion, for example, where misrepresentation, breach of contract, title defects or undisclosed liabilities come to light.
In these types of situations, legal advice should be sought quickly to assess your options and potential remedies.
What is a boundary dispute involving commercial land?
A boundary dispute involves disagreement over the legal ownership or extent of land, which may affect access, development plans or neighbouring rights.
These disputes can be complex and often require careful review of title documents, plans and historical evidence.
What documentation is essential when preparing for a commercial property dispute claim?
The exact documents that will be required to support a commercial property dispute claim will vary depending on the circumstances of the case.
That said, the types of key documents you can expect to rely on often include:
- The commercial lease or contract
- Title deeds and Land Registry plans
- Rent and service charge records
- Correspondence between parties
- Dilapidations schedules or survey reports
- Evidence of breaches or losses
Our solicitors can help gather and assess the documentation needed to support your claim or defence.
Do commercial property disputes always have to go to court?
Not all commercial property disputes need to go to court. In fact, many commercial property disputes can be resolved through negotiation, mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution, which can save time, costs and preserve commercial relationships compared to court proceedings.
Our solicitors will always explore the most efficient route to settlement where possible, but we are also experienced in pursuing or defending claims through the courts when litigation is unavoidable.
How long does it take to resolve a commercial property dispute?
The timescale for reaching a resolution depends on the nature and complexity of the dispute. Straightforward matters, such as rent arrears recovery, may be resolved within weeks, while more complex claims involving dilapidations, lease renewals or boundary issues can take several months or longer.
We will provide clear advice on likely timescales from the outset and work proactively to progress matters as efficiently as possible.
Speak to our commercial property dispute solicitors in West Sussex
To discuss your requirements and find out how we can help, please get in touch to speak to one of our expert commercial property dispute solicitors.
