Not every business needs a long formal lease. Our solicitors draft and review tenancy agreements and licences to occupy for businesses that need flexible, shorter-term space, whether you are a landlord or the business moving in, across Manchester and the UK. These agreements sit alongside the wider range of commercial contracts we draft for businesses.

Legal contract review for breach of fiduciary duty lawyer advice

Tenancy Agreement or Full Commercial Lease?

A tenancy agreement or licence to occupy works differently to a full commercial lease. It typically runs for a shorter, more flexible term, with fewer of the formalities a longer lease requires, which suits businesses testing a new location or occupying space on a rolling basis. Getting the structure right matters, because calling an arrangement a licence does not automatically mean it is one in law, and getting this wrong can create unintended tenant protections or leave a landlord exposed. Our solicitors advise Manchester and UK businesses on which structure fits the arrangement, then draft terms that hold up if the relationship changes.


How Our Commercial Tenancy Agreement Solicitors Help Your Business

Whether you are letting out space or moving into it, our solicitors put the right structure in place from the start.

Tenancy Agreement Drafting

We draft tenancy agreements and licences to occupy that set out rent, term, use and exit terms clearly, structured to reflect a shorter or more flexible occupation arrangement.

Landlord and Tenant Act Advice

We advise on whether the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 applies to an arrangement and, where it does not suit either party, how to structure the agreement to reflect that.

Tenancy Agreement Review

If you have been sent a tenancy agreement or licence to sign, we review it and flag terms that expose you to risk beyond what you expected.

Break and Exit Provisions

We draft break clauses and exit provisions that give both landlord and tenant a clear, workable route out of the arrangement when needed.

Renewal and Holding Over Advice

We advise on what happens when a tenancy continues after its term ends, and how to formalise an ongoing arrangement before it becomes unclear.

Licence to Occupy Structuring

Where a full tenancy is not appropriate, we structure a licence to occupy correctly, so it does not inadvertently create tenant protections neither side intended.

Trusted by landlords and businesses across Manchester and the UK for clear, commercially minded tenancy advice.

What This Means for You

  • A structure that matches how you are using the space.
  • Clarity on notice periods before either side needs to act.
  • Reduced risk of unintended tenant protections or landlord exposure.
  • Break clauses that work in practice, not just on paper.
  • One point of contact for drafting, review and renewal.

When To Seek Advice

  • Before signing a tenancy agreement or licence to occupy.
  • Before offering a licence in place of a formal tenancy.
  • If a tenancy is continuing informally after its term expired.
  • Before exercising or responding to a break clause.
  • If a dispute arises over rent, use or exit terms.

Meet the Founder

Marium brings 22 years of experience advising UK businesses on corporate, commercial, and dispute resolution matters. She founded MAR Legal to give businesses direct access to senior contract and commercial advice without the overhead of a traditional firm. Marium is an individually practicing Solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID: 277854). You can verify her active professional credentials on the official Law Society Find a Solicitor Index or review her industry record on the SRA Register.

Marium Razzaq - Solicitors in Manchester
Marium Razzaq
Solicitor & Director Mar Legal

MCIArb

Why Choose MAR Legal for Commercial Tenancy Agreements

Solicitor Led

Every agreement is drafted or reviewed by our solicitors, with the right legal structure checked first.

Practical, Commercial Advice

Straightforward guidance on structure, break clauses and exit terms, without unnecessary complexity.

Fixed Fee

Clear, fixed fee pricing agreed upfront, so there are no surprises on cost.

Manchester Based, UK Wide

Based in Manchester, we advise landlords and tenants on arrangements across the UK.

How Our Tenancy Agreement Process Works

01

Initial Consultation

We discuss the space and arrangement involved and agree a fixed fee for the work.


02

Structure Check

We confirm whether a tenancy agreement, licence or full lease fits the arrangement.


03

Drafting or Review

Our solicitors draft new terms or review what has already been proposed.


04

Sign Off

You receive a final agreement ready to sign, with the key terms explained clearly.

What Our Clients Say

Google
George Alexo profile picture
George Alexo
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I can’t recommend Mar Legal highly enough. From the first consultation they were clear, knowledgeable, and straightforward with their advice — no jargon, no runaround. They were responsive whenever I had questions and clearly had my best interests at heart throughout. If you’re looking for legal support you can actually trust, this is the team.
Google
Mark West profile picture
Mark West
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Perfect experience! We required our IDs verified for a house purchase in another town. The team were very friendly, helpful and quick to sort everything out for us. I highly reccomend!
Google
Yoana Mitova profile picture
Yoana Mitova
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Fast and easy way to verify your ID online. Great customer service.
Google
Conor Morrison profile picture
Conor Morrison
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I instructed MAR legal to assist with company formation and trademark applications for my business. The whole process was straightforward and handled professionally from start to finish. They were responsive, knowledgeable and made sure everything was completed properly. I would definitely use MAR legal again for future business matters.
Google
Anah Akbar profile picture
Anah Akbar
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I used MAR legal to prepare my UK will and found the service very professional and easy to deal with. Everything was explained clearly and the process was handled efficiently from start to finish. It gave me real peace of mind knowing everything had been done properly. I would happily recommend MAR legal to anyone looking to put a will in place.
Google
Safiy U profile picture
Safiy U
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We have used MAR legal for a range of corporate and commercial matters and have always found them reliable, responsive and easy to work with. Their advice is practical and commercially focused, which is exactly what you want as a business owner. They have supported us with contracts, business agreements and general commercial advice, and everything has been handled professionally and efficiently. Communication has always been clear and turnaround times have been very good. It is refreshing to work with a firm that takes the time to understand the commercial side of a business rather than just giving generic legal advice. We would happily recommend MAR legal to other businesses looking for ongoing legal support.
Google
Sarah Ibrar profile picture
Sarah Ibrar
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tanawish was super helpful and very responsive
Google
Pooja Cheema profile picture
Pooja Cheema
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I needed independent legal advice on a bridging loan for a refinance and MAR legal handled it well. They were quick to respond, easy to deal with and turned everything around within 24 hours. The fees were reasonable and there were no delays. I would be happy to use them again.
Google
Ibby Tv profile picture
Ibby Tv
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I used MAR Legal for independent legal advice on a mortgage and was very pleased with the service. I was able to get a same day appointment, which was really helpful, and everything was turned around within 24 hours. They talked me through everything in a way that actually made sense and were easy to deal with throughout. I would use MAR legal again without hesitation.
Google
Sajaad Nawaz profile picture
Sajaad Nawaz
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
MAR legal assisted with drafting an employment contract for my business and the service was very good. They took the time to understand our requirements and produced a clear and well structured contract that suited our needs. The advice was practical and the process was handled efficiently. I would be happy to use MAR legal again for future legal support.
Verified by Trustindex
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Commercial Tenancy Agreement Solicitors FAQs

A tenancy agreement usually gives the occupier exclusive possession of the space for a defined term, which can bring statutory protections into play. A licence to occupy is a personal permission to use space without exclusive possession, intended to be more flexible and easier to end. Courts look at how the arrangement operates, not just what it is called, so a licence drafted or run like a tenancy can be treated as one regardless of its label.

It depends on whether the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 applies and whether the agreement has contracted out of it. Where it applies and has not been excluded, a business tenant can generally have a right to a new tenancy at the end of the term. Many shorter tenancy agreements and licences to occupy are deliberately structured, or contracted out, so that this protection does not arise, since it suits both parties to keep the arrangement flexible.

Not usually. The notice required depends on the type of agreement, its length and whether statutory protection applies. A fixed term tenancy typically runs its course unless there is a break clause, while a licence or periodic arrangement can usually be ended with shorter notice, provided the correct process is followed. Getting the termination route wrong can delay recovering the space or expose the landlord to a claim.

This is often called holding over, and what happens next depends on the type of agreement and whether the parties are actively negotiating a new one. In some circumstances, continuing to accept rent without addressing the position can create an unintended new tenancy on the previous terms. It is worth formalising the position, either through a new agreement or a clear temporary arrangement, rather than letting it continue informally.

Yes. Even a short or informal arrangement benefits from a written agreement covering rent, length, permitted use and how either side can bring it to an end. Without this, disputes over what was agreed become far harder to resolve, and the absence of clear terms can create ambiguity over whether the occupier has more legal protection than either side intended.

A well drafted licence should make clear that the occupier does not have exclusive possession, set out the specific space and permitted use, the fee and payment terms, and how either party can end the arrangement. It should also address what happens to fixtures, fittings or stock left on the property if the licence ends. The wording needs to genuinely reflect a licence arrangement, not a tenancy in substance.

A straightforward tenancy agreement or licence to occupy can often be drafted and agreed within a few working days once we understand the space, term and commercial terms involved. More complex arrangements, or those involving negotiation between landlord and tenant, take longer. We agree a realistic timeframe at the outset and prioritise time sensitive lettings, so occupation is not delayed unnecessarily.