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Introduction

In 1984, I launched a newsletter, Quarterly Commentary, subsequently renamed Current Review, and now Rent Review Matters. An outlet for my opinions, technical comment and insight, the newsletter Rent Review Matters, and writings elsewhere, provide a mine of useful information, designed to stimulate and inspire.

Since 2012, I've also contributed to
LandlordZONE's monthly newsletter and from 2014 as a Guest Writer for its twice-a-month blog. LandlordZONE® ("LZ") is a website community and forum for landlords, tenants and others involved in letting property. To read the articles, please click Landlordzone in the Index here and follow the links.

You will find an Index of keywords and archive years on the left-hand-side of this page and if you'd like to keep in touch via email updates then please click the RSS Feed at the foot of the Index.

I hope you enjoy reading and look forward to helping you in some way.

Michael Lever



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What's in a word?

As I say on my website,  ”anyone can read a lease, but knowing what to look for is what really counts”. Words have meanings, but words attract positive and negative connotations so… For further reading, please visit LandlordZone

How to Appraise a Shop Investment

The short answer to how to appraise a shop investment is that everything about the proposition is reflected in the level of Zone A rent. For further reading, please visit LandlordZone

A Refreshing Change

Becoming, being a landlord will change you. In the driving seat, no longer a passenger, will shift you into a different state of mind. Investment does that to people: the feeling that others are paying you is …For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 24 - click here

"Upward only" rent review

Contrary to popular belief, ‘upward-only’ rent review does not mean the rent must increase. For further reading, please visit LandlordZone

Safety in Numbers

Physically outwardly people are different and different nationalities each have their own cultures but, other than gender, human beings are basically inwardly the same. For further reading, please visit LandlordZone - click here

Sentiment v Technicalities

With commercial property rent review and lease renewal when practical help from a surveyor is sought, as distinct from seeking advice, there are two types of client: …For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 23 - click here

Location, location, location

Investment performance despite any resistance by the tenant. Why would the tenant resist? …For further reading, please visit LandlordZone - click here

April Fool or Successful Investor

Successful investment is about judicious choice and timing: what to buy, how much to pay, how to manage, when and how to sell…for further reading, please visit LandlordZone - click here


Investment Psychology

Psychology occupies the middle-ground between who you are and who you want to become, and all that that entails. To become something you have to invest. Investment is about becoming better off than you are now. How long it takes to become better off depends upon a combination of two factors: the practical and the psychological. … For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 22 - click here


Chasing Rainbows

Unlike investing in stocks and shares where the volatility of share prices and uncertainty of dividends can lead to long term buy and lose, investment in property offers two advantages: … For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 21 - click here

Asset Strippers

Investment in shop property is very rewarding provided you know what you are doing. Many private investors, particularly novices, do not understand how to go about it. Instead of formulating and sticking to a clearly defined strategy, most investors have a scatter–gun approach, alighting upon anything that takes the fancy within their price range. For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 18 - click here


Without Prejudice

Last year someone on LandlordZONE Forum’s commercial property board was asking about breach of warranty of authority, and suggesting the landlord’s surveyor might be pulling a fast one. For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 17 - click here

Changing Market and Varying a Lease

The definition of ‘lease‘ is "the grant of a right to the exclusive possession of land for a determinate term less than that which the grantor has himself in the land". In practice, a lease is for further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 16 - click here

Inexperience and business tenancies

Tackling a business tenancy matter is full of pitfalls for the unwary… For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 15 - click here

On-site Parking

For corporate image there is something to be said for the appeal of former residential dwellings when located in main-road positions. One attraction is the likelihood of off-street parking where the front garden provides a forecourt for on-site car parking. For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 14 - click here

Mixed User Buildings and Service Charges

When a building comprises ground floor commercial premises let on a business tenancy, and upper part residential flat sold on a long lease, there are two ways for the landlord to recover the costs and expenses incurred by the landlord… for further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 13 - click here

Shop Investment

I have resisted commenting on the Portas review of the ‘High Street’ and ensuing media and industry reports, because …for further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 12 - click here

Privity of Contract – AGA

It is an established rule of English law that a person can only enforce a contract if he is a party to it or a lawful assignee of the benefit of the contract. In the context of a business tenancy, the "privity of contract'' doctrine means…for further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 11 - click here

SIPP and Commercial Property

Growing numbers of retirement savers with self–invested pension plans (SIPP) are building up their pension pots by putting money into commercial property; it is suggested buying your own premises to form part of your pension is probably a good move. But is it really? For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 10 - click here

Danger in leaving drafting to lawyers

When a lease is granted, the onus is on the landlord to draft the wording and the tenant to approve. When the lease contains a rent review, with the rent to be reviewed to the market rent, as distinct from a formula such as index–linked, the lease will incorporate a ’second’ lease known as the “hypothetical lease”. For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 9 - click here

Letting a Tenant off the Hook

With a business tenancy, agreeing the documentation is rarely straightforward at the best of times…For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 8 - click here

Rent Review in the Prevailing Climate

Investment is about becoming financially better off. Investing in commercial property can be rewarding provided you know what you’re doing, otherwise risky. For further reading, please visit LandlordZone newsletter issue 6 - click here
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