Commercial Renting for last 4 years with no Contract, now Landlord wants us out

[just_jue]

Hi,

 

For over 4 years now I have rented a small warehouse.

 

I have never seen or ever signed a contract and have been paying the rent firstly via a caretaker and then weekly via BACS to the landlord bank account.

 

A couple of weeks ago they emailed me saying I was a couple about a month behind with the rent and now wanted the money paid monthly in advanced, I replied saying I would be able to clear any arrears in about a month but would not be able to pay monthly in advanced.

 

This evening I received an email saying they wanted me out of the unit as soon as possible and have threatened to lock me out of the unit.

 

I am a sole trader and have quite a bit of stock in, so finding another suitable unit and moving will not be a quick process.

 

Does anyone know how long notice they should give me. I have read some post regarding the Landlord and Tenant act 1954 and it seems the notice period can be upto 6 months, and also can they legally lock me out of the unit?

 

Thanks for your time

 

JJ

[mariner51]

Not my area of expertise but-absence of written Agreement suggests no fixed term period existsbeyond rolling 1 week rental period and LL may be able to repossess if 14 days rent is owing.

LL&T A 1957 is complex and I suggest -

You consult a Solic experienced in Comm Law

Negotiate with LL for ways to continue Lease

If LL did illegally exclude you, your business could fatally suffer before resolved legally.

[just_jue]

Hi, thank you for your response. I was up till 4am this morning going through the rent statement and payment I made, and by the looks of it their is some payments not showing that I made and I was over paying for over 6 months to the tune of nearly £400 so this would completely clear any debt and put me in credit.

 

I am going to double check just to make sure.