Alternative rent structures in commercial leases

The key priority for a landlord of commercial property is to secure a reliable and predictable rental income, which can be reviewed at regular intervals so that it keeps pace with other properties in the market.  Traditionally, commercial tenants have paid rent in advance in four quarterly instalments, with rent reviews every three to five years. Covid-19 has placed increasing financial pressure on business tenants, and many are asking landlords to help cash flow by considering alternative ways to structure the rent. ‘The way businesses occupy property is having to change, so the way landlords charge rent needs to change as well’ says Andrew Little, Commercial Property Solicitor with Pearsons & Ward in Malton,  ‘Landlords need tenants in their properties, paying rent, so it is in everyone’s interest to structure the rent in a way that…

Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme changed again from 1 September 2020 in line with previous government announcements.From 1 September, the government will pay 70% of wages up to a maximum cap of £2,187.50 for the hours the employee is on furlough. Employers will top up employees’ wages to ensure they receive 80% (up to £2,500). The caps are proportional to the hours not worked.Further reductions to the government contribution will come into effect from 1 October 2020 with the Scheme coming to an end on 31 October 2020.If you are an Employer or Employee and you would like further guidance or advice on your rights and responsibilities under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, returning to work or reorganisation, please do not hesitate to our experienced Employment team on 01904 716000 or email gillian.reid@warekay.co.uk who will be happy to assist.

Agreeing time with your children following separation

A separation will inevitably mean a change in the family dynamic, and you may be concerned about what this will mean for your relationship with your children.  New arrangements will have to be put in place in relation to where the children will reside, and what time they will spend with each parent. ‘There are no hard and fast rules about what time the children should spend with each parent,’ explains our family law team expert at Ware & Kay in York. ‘Our laws are alive to the fact that each family is unique, and a number of factors need to be taken into account when deciding a child’s future living arrangements.  The starting point is to look at the welfare checklist’. The welfare checklist If a dispute over arrangements for children goes to court, the…

Coronavirus - the importance of Wills and current challenges

Since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, we have been contacted by many people wanting to ensure they have Wills in place or to update existing Wills. This has no doubt been prompted partly by the natural fear of serious illness in the current climate, but also many people have found they have had the time to think about what they would like to happen in the event of their death. For many people making a Will in normal circumstances is a task that is easily put off. In the past few weeks, we have seen a significant increase in people seeking our advice on Wills.  We would like to assure you that our offices are open for business and we can meet people in a COVID safe environment. However, for some older or vulnerable people…