How do I contact the council about commercial property to let?
What are your standard lease terms?
How can I view a property?
Will I have to pay a premium or any money up-front to lease a property?
Do you ever have pop-up shops/meanwhile spaces?
Do you offer discounted rents for the Voluntary and Community Sector?
Contact the individual listed against each property available or call the switchboard on 0207 974 4444 and ask to be directed to a member of the commercial property team.
For the majority of the properties, the Council offers a commercial lease on standard terms and conditions, which include the following:
Term: For a minimum of 3 years to a maximum of 20 years, but we may consider a shorter minimum term under certain circumstances.
Review: Rent reviews periodically at the end of each third, fourth or fifth year (to be agreed) in an upward direction only.
Repairs: The tenant to be responsible for all repairs, decorations and maintenance of services, to the interior of the premises, together with the exterior of the front of the premises, and doors and windows and/or a contribution to repairs to the exterior. The exact terms will depend on the property and the lease will state what the tenant is responsible for.
Service Charge: The tenant to contribute a fair proportion towards the cost of repair and maintenance of the building of which the property forms part, and the provision of services where appropriate.
Alienation: The lease may be assigned under certain circumstances. Generally, sub-letting is not permitted.
Insurance: The Council insures the building against damage by various risks with the premium recoverable from the tenant. Tenants should take out their own insurance such as contents insurance and public liability insurance.
Business Rates: The tenant to pay the business rates in respect of the property. Relief may apply to some businesses and charities.
Utilities: The tenant will be responsible for the payment of all utility bills and for maintaining the services in accordance with current regulations.
Fees: The tenant will be responsible for the administration costs and legal fees in connection with the letting process and preparation of the lease.
A payment of £750 towards these costs (£350 administration costs and £400 down payment towards legal costs) is required once the property is confirmed as being Under Offer to you. The fee is non-refundable unless there is fault on the Council's part.
The total legal costs (not including the administration costs) are likely to be in the region of £2,200, although higher value properties and protracted work may attract higher costs. The balance of these fees are payable on completion of the lease.
Rent Deposit: A Rent Deposit equivalent to 6 months' rent is payable on all new lettings, to be held throughout the term of the lease and any statutory continuation. No interest is payable, and the deposit may be drawn upon in the event of rent arrears or non-compliance with any lease covenants.
Rent in Advance: 3 months' rent in advance is payable on completion of the lease.
We ask that you view the property on your own from the outside to see if the location and environment would be suitable for your business. There may also be photos on the website. If the property is of interest following your external viewing, please check the entry for the property on the website for set viewing dates or contact the lettings officer (details given on the website against each property).
We do not charge a premium, but you will have to pay surveyors and legal costs before the property is placed 'Under Offer' to you. The remaining legal costs, the equivalent of six months' rent as a rent deposit and three months' rent in advance is payable on completion of the lease.
Camden may make available, on a short-term flexible basis, council-owned shops for which we have yet to find longer-term business tenants. Any available for this purpose will be marked as such on the website.
The council is currently working on a new VCS strategy to look at how qualifying VCS groups occupy our properties. This is expected to become a formal cabinet decision in 2022.