Lease Dispute Lawyers

Commercial Lease disputes are almost inevitable. They can have negative impacts on the operation of the business or profitability. The key is to determine how can the dispute be resolved in the most cost-effective way.

At PCL Lawyers our legal team handle a wide range of commercial real estate matters and lease disputes.

We act for a range of clients from tenants to shopping centre owners, investors and property groups. We can advise on complex and simple issues from retail leasing to owners corporation disputes, building defects and industrial and commercial premises and shopping centres.

Steps to resolving your lease dispute

Setting Out Your Position

Getting advice is the first step to resolving your dispute. Getting a clear indication on your rights and the what is involved to assert your rights is key. This will determine the most cost-effective and straightforward way to resolve a lease dispute.

Many disputes settle quickly once this is evident to the otherside. Getting a lawyer to assist does not mean the beginning of a complex dispute and legal costs.

Getting a lawyer to draft a letter setting out your dispute with the other party has a two-fold effect. Firstly, It helps the other party understand with the clarity the legal basis of your position.

Secondly, it demonstrates that our are serious about your rights and that the other party needs to think clearly about resolution.

Urgent Action

In some instances, such as evictions etc urgent actions such as injunctions or lock outs are required. This requires legal precision and adherence to the law.

If such actions don’t follow the right legal processes, you could be liable for costs and compensation. Our lease lawyers can act quickly and carefully to assert your position whilst paying attention to any potential repercussions.

Mediation

Early conciliation is usually the best approach. If the lease is a retail lease, mediation via the Small Business Commissioner is compulsory in any case, unless the circumstances are urgent.

We regularly represent clients at mediation. Mediation is inexpensive and refines the issues the in dispute with the view to achieving a workable outcome.

Even if the lease is a non-retail commercial lease, mediation can still be used and in most cases should before because it will very often bring about a resolution.

Getting lease advice prior or during mediation is a great advantage as the legal issues can be dealt with in precise way. We will seek to focus the other party’s mind as to the strengths of your case in a persuasive way to give the matter the best chance of an early resolution.

Litigation

If litigation is necessary, we have strong experience in both Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal VCAT and the Courts in representing our clients’ interests.

Once a matter gets to this stage, we take a very tough stance against the other party. We also at the same time continue to look for ways to globally resolve the dispute before a hearing or trial.

Property Litigation is complex and can become expensive. It is also necessary in some instances to get an outcome. Our lawyers are diligent in our approach to any court-based litigation and at each stage ensure your matter is well organised and articulated.

Our Experience

We have experience representing both landlords and tenants (therefore understanding both perspectives) across the full range of retail commercial lease matters including:

• Breach of Lease, including Notices of Breach
• Termination of Lease
• Money matters including non-payment of rent and outgoings
• Damage to Premises
• Rent Review
• Lockout
• Quiet Enjoyment of Premises
• Watertight Premises
• Maintenance of Premises
• Exercise of Option
• Sublease Disputes (including consent to lease)
• Premises Maintenance
• Commercial building defects
• Security Deposit Disputes
• Assignment of Lease Disputes
• Outgoings Disputes
• Eviction Disputes
• Insolvency
• Personal Property Security Disputes
• Disputes with Owners Corporation Managers

Speak to a lease lawyer today to get clear and commercially sound advice on how to resolve your lease dispute.

At PCL Lawyers our law firm is focussed on providing clients the best legal advice possible.

We are here to help. To discuss your matter further please either call us on 1300 907 335 or fill out the enquiry form on this page.