The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 41: Feb/March 2019 | Page 28
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
ADVERTORIAL
Minimising your risks as a
commercial property landlord
by Ian Sharpe, Senior Account Director, for Jelf in Swindon
As a landlord of a commercial property
it’s your responsibility to meet certain
obligations for your tenants. If you’re not
familiar with these, you could expose
yourself and your properties to unnecessary
risk. some of your landlord liabilities to your
tenants in the terms and conditions of their
lease. But this isn’t always possible so you
might still need to have a plan in place to
monitor your properties.
Your commercial landlord
responsibilities Addressing these challenges with these
simple steps can reduce risks and help
make sure your properties are legal. Risk
assessment - conduct an annual and
thorough risk assessment for every property.
Even though you might not be directly
responsible for fire safety, always include it
in your assessments. It should verify that all
fire control measures are in good, working
condition and who’s responsible for them.
Hire professional contractors – make
sure contractors provide their own risk
assessment and method statement as well
as evidence of their insurance before they
begin any work.
Like a residential landlord, you need to
ensure your properties are safe and well
maintained. But depending on the type
of property and lease, you may also be
responsible for:
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Fire safety
Maintenance and repairs
Fixtures and fitting
Waste management
Asbestos monitoring and maintenance
Gas and electricity
Refrigeration, air conditioning and heating
systems
If you are, you could be held accountable
for lax health and safety and poor building
maintenance, however you could transfer
Minimising your risk as a landlord
Introduce PAT testing
Portable appliance testing (PAT) isn’t a
legal requirement for landlords but testing
anything you provide can help ensure the
safety of your tenants.
Correct storage
Require that any chemicals your tenants may
use for their business are stored in locked,
metal cupboards.
Visit jelf.com to find out how
we can help you manage your
liabilities.
This is a marketing communication. Jelf Insurance
Brokers Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all products and services
Check water systems
Hire a specialist contractor annually
to conduct a legionella bacteria risk
assessment for all of the property’s hot and
cold water systems.
offered are regulated by the FCA. Registered in England
and Wales number 0837227. Registered Office: Hillside
Court, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6JX.
FP19.13
Make use of FRI or IRI leases
Full repair and insurance (FRI) leases can
limit your liability in the event of an incident.
FRI leases make tenants responsible for the
costs of all repairs and insurance policies.
In the case of a multi-occupancy building,
an Internal repair and Insurance (IRI) lease
would be more appropriate.
Don’t leave yourself or your properties
exposed to unnecessary risks by ignoring
your responsibilities.
For more info:
www.jelf.com
[email protected]
01793 714431
We provide
the complete
solution
Hiring crates for your move
Storing your items
Moving your business
Space planning & design
Office furniture
www.elmworkspace.com
01249 819 419
www.allboxed.co.uk
01249 471777
www.britanniaquickmove.co.uk
01249 813430
The Space Centre, Porte Marsh Road, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9BW
28
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019