About Michael Lever
Born 1949 in Ealing, educated at City of London School, my commercial property career began at Montagu Evans, London in 1967. In 1971, I joined my late father's firm, Fineman Lever & Co, Chartered Surveyors. In 1975, I established my practice in Harrow, NW London when I pioneered the idea of specialising in rent review and lease renewal. In 1993, I moved my office to Ledbury, Herefordshire.
A wholefood organic vegetarian since 1984, spare-time interests include gardening, counselling, healing, weightlifting, and badminton. To complement my philosophy, I created Marketing Yourself and provide business development advice to retailers. In spare time, from 2003 to 2008, I helped my wife with the running of a shop in Ledbury, trading as The Rice Cake, organic grocers; later renamed Muse Organix, natural and organic skin-care. During my time in Ledbury, I have served on the committees of Friends of Dymock Poets (Membership Secretary, 1993-1994), Ledbury Chamber of Commerce (President), Ledbury Badminton Club (Secretary 1994-2006) and from 2009 to 2011, I was Chairman of Ledbury and District Society Trust Ltd, a registered charity and civic society, with more than 440 members, and owning two heritage buildings. In 2011, I created Ledbury Picture Library, an on-line tour of Ledbury.
As well as advising clients, I contribute to professional wisdom and market intelligence by writing about rent review, business tenancies, and retail property.
In 1978, I published a pamphlet "The Framework of Rent Review Clauses" which was given publicity in leading law and property journals. In 1983, I published a 28-page booklet ' How to do a Rent Review’; priced at £5 it was an instant hit at more than 2000 sales; and in a letter to me was described by Professor John Ratcliffe, then Dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment at the Polytechnic of the South Bank, London as an "excellent digest of a particular complex area of professional practice and study". In 1984, I published a booklet, reprinted 1988, entitled “Investment in Secondary Shops” and in 1988 “How to Read an Auction Catalogue” : more than 1500 booklets were sold and many landlords have used my services ever since. In 1988 I published a booklet "The Psychology of Rent Review Negotiation" and after that numerous pamphlets and newsletters; and over the years, my contribution to the world of rent review is such that many of my original ideas nowadays pervade popular thinking.
My publications are welcomed by solicitors, barristers, chartered surveyors, accountants, students, public and private property companies, private investors, banks, and multiple retailers. My letters and articles appear in Estates Gazette, Law Society's Gazette, Solicitors' Journal, Chartered Surveyor, Arbitrator, Estates Times, The Grocer, Ledbury Reporter, Financial Times, Property Law Bulletin, Central (Institute of Directors), Investor's Chronicle, Property Week and Retail Week. I contribute to the Property boards of Motley Fool UK; and the Community Blog on Reuters Real Estate; and I can be found on Twitter.
I am mentioned in a Blundell Memorial Lecture and in a 'footnote' in 2 law books - 'Land Options' by Barnsley (1980); and 'Drafting Business Leases' by Lewison (1981) (nowadays Sir Kim Lewison of the Supreme Court). In 1984, I launched Quarterly Commentary, later renamed Current Review, my newsletter about rent review, investment and retailing. In 1995, I was awarded a prize for my essay on the Future of Town Centres and Retailing in a competition sponsored by Marks & Spencer. In 1996, I received a Certificate of Academic Standing from the Law Society. I have experience as executor and trustee. I am a member of the Shop Agents Society.
Many of my Clients have used my services regularly since 1975. Regular Clients include property companies, private investors, family trusts, charities, multiple retailers, and local businesses. For a list of companies for whom I've acted for and against, please click here. For some information about the sort of problems I am asked to solve, please click here for case histories. And for whereabouts of properties that have come my way please click here.
There is no set-formula for rent review, but there is a recipe for success. I consider each situation on its own merits and tailor my strategy according to the circumstances. Since I have an unusually good understanding of retailing as well as property, I am both professional and entrepreneurial in my approach.
My services are often recommended by chartered surveyors, accountants, business advisers, and solicitors.
To contact me, please telephone 01531 631892 or email help@michaellever.co.uk
I look forward to helping you in some way.
Michael Lever
Born 1949 in Ealing, educated at City of London School, my commercial property career began at Montagu Evans, London in 1967. In 1971, I joined my late father's firm, Fineman Lever & Co, Chartered Surveyors. In 1975, I established my practice in Harrow, NW London when I pioneered the idea of specialising in rent review and lease renewal. In 1993, I moved my office to Ledbury, Herefordshire.
A wholefood organic vegetarian since 1984, spare-time interests include gardening, counselling, healing, weightlifting, and badminton. To complement my philosophy, I created Marketing Yourself and provide business development advice to retailers. In spare time, from 2003 to 2008, I helped my wife with the running of a shop in Ledbury, trading as The Rice Cake, organic grocers; later renamed Muse Organix, natural and organic skin-care. During my time in Ledbury, I have served on the committees of Friends of Dymock Poets (Membership Secretary, 1993-1994), Ledbury Chamber of Commerce (President), Ledbury Badminton Club (Secretary 1994-2006) and from 2009 to 2011, I was Chairman of Ledbury and District Society Trust Ltd, a registered charity and civic society, with more than 440 members, and owning two heritage buildings. In 2011, I created Ledbury Picture Library, an on-line tour of Ledbury.
As well as advising clients, I contribute to professional wisdom and market intelligence by writing about rent review, business tenancies, and retail property.
In 1978, I published a pamphlet "The Framework of Rent Review Clauses" which was given publicity in leading law and property journals. In 1983, I published a 28-page booklet ' How to do a Rent Review’; priced at £5 it was an instant hit at more than 2000 sales; and in a letter to me was described by Professor John Ratcliffe, then Dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment at the Polytechnic of the South Bank, London as an "excellent digest of a particular complex area of professional practice and study". In 1984, I published a booklet, reprinted 1988, entitled “Investment in Secondary Shops” and in 1988 “How to Read an Auction Catalogue” : more than 1500 booklets were sold and many landlords have used my services ever since. In 1988 I published a booklet "The Psychology of Rent Review Negotiation" and after that numerous pamphlets and newsletters; and over the years, my contribution to the world of rent review is such that many of my original ideas nowadays pervade popular thinking.
My publications are welcomed by solicitors, barristers, chartered surveyors, accountants, students, public and private property companies, private investors, banks, and multiple retailers. My letters and articles appear in Estates Gazette, Law Society's Gazette, Solicitors' Journal, Chartered Surveyor, Arbitrator, Estates Times, The Grocer, Ledbury Reporter, Financial Times, Property Law Bulletin, Central (Institute of Directors), Investor's Chronicle, Property Week and Retail Week. I contribute to the Property boards of Motley Fool UK; and the Community Blog on Reuters Real Estate; and I can be found on Twitter.
I am mentioned in a Blundell Memorial Lecture and in a 'footnote' in 2 law books - 'Land Options' by Barnsley (1980); and 'Drafting Business Leases' by Lewison (1981) (nowadays Sir Kim Lewison of the Supreme Court). In 1984, I launched Quarterly Commentary, later renamed Current Review, my newsletter about rent review, investment and retailing. In 1995, I was awarded a prize for my essay on the Future of Town Centres and Retailing in a competition sponsored by Marks & Spencer. In 1996, I received a Certificate of Academic Standing from the Law Society. I have experience as executor and trustee. I am a member of the Shop Agents Society.
Many of my Clients have used my services regularly since 1975. Regular Clients include property companies, private investors, family trusts, charities, multiple retailers, and local businesses. For a list of companies for whom I've acted for and against, please click here. For some information about the sort of problems I am asked to solve, please click here for case histories. And for whereabouts of properties that have come my way please click here.
There is no set-formula for rent review, but there is a recipe for success. I consider each situation on its own merits and tailor my strategy according to the circumstances. Since I have an unusually good understanding of retailing as well as property, I am both professional and entrepreneurial in my approach.
My services are often recommended by chartered surveyors, accountants, business advisers, and solicitors.
To contact me, please telephone 01531 631892 or email help@michaellever.co.uk
I look forward to helping you in some way.
Michael Lever