Getting ready to sell or lease

For owners and occupiers of commercial property looking to sell, let, assign or sublet, ‘readiness for sale’ is a major factor in the new occupier’s ability to move quickly.

Many transactions falter due to lack of information, and the absence of reports, most of which are in fact now a statutory requirement. What can owners and occupiers do to ensure that they are sufficiently prepared?

Asbestos Register

Most tenants looking to offload their existing leases need to have undertaken an asbestos risk assessment. This means taking reasonable steps to identify where any asbestos is, or is assumed to be, how much there is, and its condition. The assessment should be reviewed if there has been a significant change, for example if alterations have been carried out. Tenants must record the conclusions of the assessment and ensure copies are available. Without them the new occupier may insist on commissioning a new assessment, inevitably leading to delay and an argument over who should pay for it!