Commercial Lease Transfers: Licence to Assign a Lease - TV EDWARDS
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Commercial Lease Transfers: Licence to Assign a Lease

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If you’re a business looking to move and transfer your commercial lease to another tenant, you’ll usually need formal written permission from your landlord. This is typically in the form of a Licence to Assign.

Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the process if you want to transfer your lease.

What is a Commercial Lease Assignment?

A commercial lease assignment involves transferring your lease to another business or commercial tenant. Transferring your lease can be useful if you’re looking to move your business location. 

Most commercial leases prevent tenants from assigning their leases without the landlord’s permission. If agreed, the obligations and terms of the lease are legally transferred to the new tenant. If you go ahead without your landlord’s consent, they may have grounds to forfeit the lease and recover legal costs. 

It’s highly recommended to obtain legal advice to ensure that you comply with the terms of your lease  and talk through the following:

  • Is transferring your commercial lease the best option? You may want to surrender your lease (this may incur costs for dilapidations), or the new tenant may want a lease of their own.
  • Are you and the new tenant aware of any risks associated with the building? A lawyer can explain any ongoing liabilities you have after the transfer, for example, acting as a guarantor.
  • Is your landlord withholding or delaying their consent unreasonably? They are entitled to request references and information from the new tenant, such as statements or accounts.

Landlords will also frequently require the outgoing tenant (the Assignor) to act as a guarantor for the new tenant (the Assignee). This means that if the Assignee becomes insolvent or vacates your old premises, the landlord can ask the former tenant to take on the lease for the remainder of its term.

Do I Need a Licence to Assign?

A licence to assign is your landlord’s written consent for you (the Assignor) to transfer your lease to another person or business (the Assignee). It is a formal legal document, and it protects all parties by ensuring that:

  • The landlord has sufficient information about the proposed new tenant before giving consent to the assignment, for example by reviewing financial accounts or references.
  • Both the outgoing and incoming tenants clearly understand their obligations under the lease, reducing the risk of future disputes. The licence will also set out any ongoing obligations on the outgoing tenant, such as acting as a guarantor if required.

For outgoing tenants, it’s essential to understand any Authorised Guarantee Agreements (AGAs) if they’re applicable. These can leave you liable for unpaid rent or repairs left by the tenant who replaced you.

Our commercial lease assignment lawyers can help you liaise with the parties and draft a Licence to Assign.

Related Commercial Property Services

Authorised Guarantee Agreements
Assignment of Leases and Underleases
Deed of Variations
Grant of Commercial Leases
Licence for Alterations
Purchase of Business Assets
Purchase of freehold and Leasehold Commercial Properties
Rent Deposit Deeds
Statutory and Non-statutory Lease Extensions

How We Handle Commercial Lease Transfers

At TV Edwards, our lawyers provide advice for both tenants and landlords involved in lease transfers. 

We can review your lease, help draft legal documents, and liaise with landlords, tenants and solicitors. Our strong negotiation skills help keep timescales manageable and terms and conditions reasonable.

Our team will make sure every step is handled professionally, protecting your business and ensuring the transaction proceeds smoothly. 

Why Choose TV Edwards? 

  • Highly ranked in legal directories – Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers UK
  • Proven success – A wealth of experience in drafting Licences to Assign for commercial leases
  • London and beyond – We’ve helped multiple UK businesses to transfer their commercial leases
  • Cost-effective solutions – We prioritise fair, practical resolutions to keep costs manageable
  • Client-first approach – Clear, honest legal advice from start to finish, tailored to your goals

Client Testimonials

TV Edwards Solicitors has a long history of excellent legal services and has been in existence for many years. I recently used them for a property purchase, and the process was completed in a timely manner. Even though there were some hiccups from the other party regarding their lack of efficient responses, it was truly great timing and excellent effort for completion. Thanks to Edwyn Traill and the rest of the team for the outstanding outcome.
— Botan 27.02.26
Juanita Francis has now helped me with two property purchases and I cannot recommend her services highly enough. From start to finish, I’ve experienced the highest levels of professionalism and support from her and her team. Their communication is clear and timely. We had a difficult sale/purchase this time round and it was very reassuring to have Juanita and team represent us.
— 30.01.26
TV Edwards provided exceptional conveyancing services, expertly managing my property transaction alongside a complex family court matter. Their team demonstrated outstanding professionalism, understanding my unique circumstances and tailoring their approach to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Despite the added complexities, they maintained excellent communication, keeping me informed at every stage and offering clear, practical advice. Their attention to detail and dedication to resolving challenges gave me complete confidence throughout. The seamless coordination between their conveyancing and family law teams was invaluable. I highly recommend TV Edwards for their expertise, efficiency, and personalised service during challenging times.
— THE 22.11.24
Juanita and the team working with her have provided a thorough service from the start to the end. She guided us through the process with professionalism and gave clear and concise advice. Always kept us in the loop and didn’t require constant chasing, to the contrary, Juanita was the one who made it possible for our house completion to go through on time despite the best efforts of the other parties’ solicitors to drag their heels. I strongly recommend Juanita, her team and TV Edwards in general.
— Client 19.03.24
I would like to express my gratitude to Juanita Francis and her entire team for the FANTASTIC work that they did in relation to my remortgage and purchase. From the beginning, Juanita, was patient and kind enough to explain the process of remortgaging and purchasing to me. Even when my purchase fell through (through no fault of hers), she very encouraging and reassuring in her approach, and this gave me a sense of hope. Throughout the duration of the remortgage and purchase, I was always informed by email or by telephone on the progress that was being made. Additionally, Juanita and her team were always easy to approach when I was unsure about certain aspects and were supportive about my concerns. They offered sound, knowledgeable advice always in a calm and professional manner. Juanita and her team went the extra mile and were very proactive. This really helped make the conveyancing process as stress free as possible. Knowing that I had a solicitor who had my back certainly made all the difference. I plan to renew the lease for my flat and will most definitely instruct Juanita and her team again. I unreservedly recommend Juanita and her team. Once again, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
— Ebele Isamah-Opene 29.02.24
I am very happy with the speed and quality of service I am getting for purchase of a property and would definitely consider using the other services of the firm.
— Saadia 28.02.24
I sold my home through TV Edwards. Great service and communication. I would send an email and I would get a response back within minutes. They were able to explain statements to me and what I needed to provide. They were recommended to me and I would certainly recommend them to anyone else.
— Chloe 24.01.24
I’ve used TV Edwards previously and always found the team to be reliable and proactive. My recent transaction proved to be quite challenging at times, but Edwyn was very thorough and continually chased the other parties involved to ensure we completed without the need to reapply for another mortgage, which would have incurred further costs. Edwyn went above and beyond and was kind enough to minimum his costs, regardless of additional work required. I would certainly recommend TV Edwards and will use them again.
— Lesley 16.11.23

Contact Our Lease Assignment Lawyers Today

Licence to Assign Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my commercial lease to someone else?

 

Yes, you can transfer your commercial lease to someone else, for example, if you’re moving and have found a business that wants to move into your premises. However, you’ll likely need your landlord’s permission in the form of a formal document called a Licence to Assign, which ensures that all parties are protected legally.

Do you need a solicitor to assign a lease?

It’s not legally required for a solicitor to assign a lease, but the complexity of the process means that it is  highly recommended. A commercial lease assignment lawyer can help you assess risks, draft a formal Licence to Assign, check paperwork, and liaise with the relevant parties, helping you to avoid legal pitfalls.

How long does it take to assign a commercial lease?

 

The time it takes to assign a commercial lease is usually 8 to 12 weeks, but this depends on the landlord’s responsiveness, the complexity of the lease itself, and the time it takes for references to be obained and  approved. Ensuring the new tenant provides information promptly can help speed up the process.

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