Comparable rent accusation
Making comparisons between similar properties is the standard means of assessing appropriate levels of rent payable on commercial premises.
In the case of Clear Call Limited v Central London Investments Limited, the practice came under scrutiny by the Court of Appeal as a landlord defeated claims that it had entered into a sham lease at an artificially inflated rent in an attempt to push up its returns on other properties that it owned.
One of the landlord’s tenants had made an unopposed application for a new lease under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 but objected when the rent payable was fixed by a judge at £125,700 per annum. The judge had in part based his decision on the rent achieved by the same landlord in respect of another property.
The tenant argued that that transaction was a sham and that the comparison put forward by the landlord was artificial and unreal. It was said that the relevant premises had remained empty and in a dilapidated state since the rent was said to have been agreed and that the tenant was a dormant, non-trading, company.
The landlord denied the accusation that it had engaged in a ruse in an attempt to force up rents in an area in which it had substantial property holdings. The evidence showed that the transaction had taken place, that there had been negotiations prior to the grant of the lease and that rent had been paid.
In dismissing the tenant’s appeal, the Court noted that its arguments had been fully considered, and rejected, by the judge. Fresh evidence of alleged skulduggery that the tenant sought to put forward could either have been presented to the judge or was of no real substance. An appeal by the tenant had also previously been dismissed by the High Court.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Cladding remediation programmes, transparency and target date.
National Audit Office issue report on cladding remediation.
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.