Tenancy Agreement Solicitors

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.

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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.

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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
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

Initial Consultation

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

Structure Check

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

Drafting or Review

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

Sign Off

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

What Our Clients Say

    
 
 
         
   KOTA 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They handled it wonderfully.
  
 
        
   George Alexopoulos 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Umar Razzaq at MAR Legal is sharp, honest and responsive, and excellent on the detail. Great outcome. Highly recommended.
  
 
        
   Olamide Aribigbela 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really happy with the service from MAR Legal. They were very professional, helpful and efficient throughout the whole process. They handled all my documents quickly and carefully, and made everything simple and stress-free.

Would definitely recommend MAR Legal to anyone looking for a reliable and professional solicitor!
  
 
        
   Mrs Whitbread 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service. Very responsive and great at explaining everything I needed. Thanks
  
 
        
   Rachel Marsden 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional and clear advice. Easy to understand and handled with appropriate sensitivity and confidentiality.
  
 
        
   Gillian Fletcher 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent Service, quick and efficient and clear communications throughout. Thank you.
  
 
        
   Faye McCarthy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used MAR Legal for a commercial lease on a property in Stockport. Had my initial consultation at their Spinningfields office, where I dealt directly with Marium, one of the directors. She walked me through the lease terms and the timeline upfront, so I knew what to expect at each stage. Would use them again for commercial property work in the Manchester area.
  
 
        
   Chris Johnson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. MAR legal helped with ILA which my mortgage lender required. They acted very quickly and at a good price. Great service.
  
 
        
   Arsa Syed 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional and helpful. I would definitely recommend using them and will be back if I need any legal work done!!
  
 
        
   Amir Abbou 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They provided professional, sharp, and responsive counsel.  their contractual analysis was strong, and their advice was genuinely practical and commercially minded.
  
 
  
  
 
 
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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.

MAR Legal provides commercial tenancy agreement and licence to occupy drafting, review and advisory support. Where a matter involves reserved legal activities, conveyancing or court proceedings, we work alongside appropriately regulated professionals to provide a compliant and joined up service.

Tenant Agreement Lawyers

Tenancy Agreement or Full Commercial Lease?