Agreement for lease
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An agreement for lease is a vital step in the process of securing commercial property, whether you’re a landlord or tenant.
It sets out the terms and conditions that will eventually form the lease itself, ensuring that both parties are clear on their obligations before the formal lease is signed. At Moore Barlow, we understand that getting the details right from the outset is crucial to avoid future disputes and to ensure a smooth transition to the formal lease.
Our expert commercial property solicitors provide the guidance and support you need to negotiate and finalise an agreement for lease that works in your favour.
Whether you’re committing to a long-term commercial lease or setting the groundwork for a property development project, having a robust agreement in place provides certainty and security. From agreeing the terms of the lease to handling bespoke clauses that reflect your specific requirements, we help both landlords and tenants navigate the complexities of this essential document.

Richard Hughes
Partner | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Real Estate Finance
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What is an agreement for lease?
An agreement for lease is a legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that outlines the terms and conditions under which the formal lease will be granted in the future. This agreement is often used when certain conditions must be met before the lease can commence, such as the completion of building works, obtaining planning permission, or securing financing. It provides a legally binding commitment on both parties to enter in to the future agreed form of lease, ensuring the terms of it cannot be renegotiated.
What is the benefit of the agreement for lease?
An agreement for lease offers several benefits, particularly for complex or large property transactions. It allows both the landlord and tenant to agree on the terms of a future lease before the property is ready for occupation or certain conditions are met. This provides certainty and security for both parties, ensuring the tenant will have a guaranteed lease once the conditions, such as property development or renovation, are completed. It also allows time for any legal or regulatory matters to be resolved in advance, reducing the risk of disputes when the lease is formally granted.
How we can help
At Moore Barlow, we offer comprehensive support throughout the process of negotiating and finalising an agreement for lease. We understand that each transaction is unique, which is why we tailor our advice to reflect your specific situation and needs. Our services include:
Drafting and reviewing agreements: We ensure that the agreement for lease accurately reflects the terms that have been negotiated, covering key areas such as conditions to be met and the timelines for completion.
Conditional clauses: We help navigate and draft conditional clauses, ensuring that both parties understand what must happen before the lease can be executed. Whether it’s development completion or regulatory approvals, we make sure these are clearly defined and achievable.
Negotiation support: Our team assists in negotiating terms that are in your best interests, providing you with a clear understanding of your obligations and ensuring that the agreement protects your long-term goals.
Why choose us
Moore Barlow brings a wealth of experience in handling agreements for lease, guiding both landlords and tenants through the process with efficiency and precision. We understand the commercial pressures on both sides and work to ensure the agreement is comprehensive, fair, and reflective of the needs of all parties involved.
Our proactive approach means we not only focus on the legal aspects but also help you navigate practical considerations, ensuring that timelines, conditions, and terms are all aligned with your strategic goals. With our deep understanding of commercial property law and our commitment to client success, you can trust us to handle your agreement with the care it deserves.
Meet our team of commercial property solicitors
Jo Farr
Partner | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Land Development, Real Estate Finance
Richard Hughes
Partner | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Real Estate Finance
Julian Parkes
Partner | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Landed Estates and Farming
Nellie van der Lande
Senior Associate | Commercial Property, Real Estate Finance, Rural Services
Callum Leary
Senior Associate | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Real Estate Finance
Sam Ho
Senior Associate | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Real Estate Finance
Sharon Mays
Senior Associate | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Land Development, Real Estate Finance
Nicola Donnelly
Associate | Real Estate, Plot Sales, Residential Property
Fiona Hampton
Chartered Legal Executive | Commercial Property, Land Development, Plot Sales
Helen Archibald
Consultant | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Land Development
Janice Taylor
Conveyancing Executive | Real Estate, Plot Sales, Residential Property
Who we help
We work with a wide range of clients involved in commercial property transactions, including landlords, tenants, developers, and investors. Whether you’re entering into an agreement for lease on a new build, securing premises for your business, or managing a large property portfolio, our expert team can provide the tailored legal advice and support you need to ensure your transaction proceeds smoothly.
Contact us
If you need assistance with an agreement for lease or any other aspect of commercial property law, Moore Barlow is here to help. Contact our team today to discuss your requirements, and we’ll ensure you have the guidance and expertise needed to secure a successful outcome. Let us handle the legal complexities so you can focus on what matters most—your business.
Contact our commercial property team
Frequently asked questions
What does “no agreement for lease” mean?
“No agreement for lease” means that there is no formal contract or legally binding commitment between the landlord and tenant regarding a future lease. Without an agreement for lease, neither party is obligated to proceed with the lease, leaving terms such as rent, duration, and conditions unconfirmed. This can create uncertainty, as the tenant is not guaranteed a lease and the landlord is not obliged to lease the property, which could lead to potential disputes or delays if either party changes their position.
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Don’t take our word for it…
Moore Barlow stepped into the breach at a time when we were undertaking the biggest property transaction in our history. They were nothing but highly professional, available, helpful and patient.
Legal 500, 2025
The commercial property team are extremely pragmatic and always work in the best interest of the client. The people are all knowledgeable and hardworking. They are able to translate complex legalese into plain English.
Legal 500, 2025
As our own business moves from start-up to growth mode, Moore Barlow have continued to scale and develop their service proportionally to meet our developing needs. They continue to adapt to our new systems, work collaboratively with us to ensure transparency in matters, and increase pace in delivery. We look forward to continuing to do business with them in the coming years.
Legal 500, 2024
Moore Barlow is known for residential and commercial development expertise. The firm continues to act for national and regional house builders, and it is also equipped to handle property finance, landlord and tenant matters and investment work. Its clients also benefit from the firm’s knowledge of agricultural property. In addition, the team is noted for its expertise in property transactions in the leisure industry.
Chambers & Partners, 2024
Moore Barlow’s property partners have an in-depth understanding of their area backed by familiarity with their clients and their businesses gained over decades of experience.
Chambers & Partners, 2024
The team’s focus on our needs and responsiveness makes it feel like we have in-house legal counsel. We have several active matters at any one time, and they have worked with us to develop continually-improving management systems to ensure everyone is up to date with what is happening.
Legal 500, 2023
We have had an incredibly positive experience working with Moore Barlow, especially considering that we are new to the UK property market. Their responsiveness, extensive knowledge, and clear communication have truly made them stand out. We were impressed by their considerate approach throughout the sales process, which made the entire experience feel both professional and personable. I highly recommend Moore Barlow for their exceptional service and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction.
Emma Plumridge – BoKlok Sales and Marketing Director
A competent, professional organisation that we are grateful to have on our side. The Moore Barlow team have proved patient, and highly flexible, supporting us as we develop our acquisition strategy, and dealing efficiently with the many landlords’ solicitors that are not normally comfortable with our market. For us, the biggest plus is that we can be confident that, where matters are dragging on, it is the landlord that we need to be chasing, not Moore Barlow. They work very well with us to ensure that they/we are never holding up a transaction, and so together we demonstrate absolute professionalism.
Legal 500, 2022
From our numerous dealings with the firm there is clear evidence of a team spirit. Each member of the team works to a high standard and you have confidence with whoever you are dealing with that the task will get done. They are always helpful and will go out of their way to answer any queries we may have.