In today’s episode, I’m stripping away the legal jargon and giving you clear, simple explanations of the commercial lease terms that matter most. Whether you’re reviewing your first lease or your fiftieth, understanding this language is essential — because the lease is the value of your commercial property.

I walk you through the key terms you’ll see in every lease, why they matter, and how they impact risk, cashflow and negotiations. By the end, you’ll be able to pick up a lease and instantly make sense of 80% of it.

• What Heads of Terms really are

• What “the demise” means — and why it’s crucial

• Service charges, in plain English

• Repairing obligations (FRI, IRI + Schedule of Condition)

• Break clauses — and the conditions that catch people out

• Rent reviews: open market, index-linked, caps + collars

• Alienation and why you do want control over who occupies your property

• User clauses and planning + valuation implications

• Security of Tenure under the 1954 Act — and whether your tenant has renewal rights

If you’ve ever felt like leases were deliberately written to confuse you, this episode will change that.

LINKS:

More information about the 1954 Act your full guide is here:
https://ncrealestate.co.uk/1954-act/

Find out your next best investment move:
https://nextcommercialproperty.scoreapp.com/

If you want to understand what a property is really worth:
https://ncrealestate.co.uk/investment-calculator/

Your no-nonsense guide to commercial property:
https://ncrealestate.co.uk/book

If you need help reviewing a lease, analysing a deal or setting your strategy:
https://ncrealestate.co.uk/bookacall