Commercial Property Solicitor: Free Consultation

Stamp Duty On Commercial Property Leases


Do I Have To Pay Stamp Duty On A Commercial Property Lease?

Many commercial tenants are unaware of the fact that Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) can be payable on the grant, assignment, variation or surrender of a commercial lease, where the total value of the transaction is above certain thresholds. The rules regarding payment of SDLT are complex, and while the tax is not payable on all commercial leases, it is important to note that failure to pay on time, for whatever reason, can result in liability for the overdue payment with accrued interest, in addition to a fine. On the other side of the coin, if a company or individual overpays their SDLT, it is not easy to obtain a refund from HMRC, so in both cases it is important to get the calculation right first time round.

Recent Customer Review (24 June 2020): 'My commercial lease has been very difficult on the landlords side of things and James has dealt with every last detail efficiently and professionally...'  Read more >

  • How Is Stamp Duty Land Tax Calculated On Property Leases?
  • When Does Stamp Duty Land Tax Need To Be Paid?
  • Solicitors Advising On Stamp Duty Land Tax On Commercial Leases
  • Do I Need To Register My Commercial Lease?
SDLT is calculated based on any lease premium paid by the tenant and on the rent due under the terms of the lease (including VAT if applicable). Once the length of the lease is factored in, the Net Present Value (NPV) of the lease can be determined, along with the amount of SDLT that is due. The rent figure used in the calculation is arrived at based on the first 5 years of rent payments, and where a lease term exceeds 5 years, the highest amount paid over any 12 month period during the first 5 years will be used to calculate the NPV for any succeeding years. To complicate matters however, SDLT can also be applied to certain other payments made under the terms of a lease, and also to ‘chargeable considerations’, such as a commercial tenant’s obligations to carry out work or services on a rented property.
Payment of SDLT is due within 30 days of the ‘effective date’ of the transaction, which can be when the contract is completed, when the tenant moves in, when the first rent payment is made, or when ‘substantial performance’ of the transaction has taken place in some other way. The tenant is solely responsible for calculating the amount of SDLT that is due and for making payment on time. It is also important to note that SDLT can become payable again during the term of a commercial lease, in circumstances including where a lease is renewed or extended under new terms, the rent payable is revised following a rent review, or a tenant remains in occupation after the original lease expires.
The commercial property law department at Bartletts Solicitors can advise prospective and current tenants on their legal obligations regarding Stamp Duty Land Tax, including whether you are liable to pay SDLT, and if so, how much. We can also help with the completion of the necessary forms for submission to HMRC, which can be complicated to fill out. Contact our commercial property solicitors today for a free initial consultation and to deal with your SDLT liability promptly, efficiently and cost-effectively.
Many commercial leases need to be registered. If a lease is not registered it will be difficult to sell your business. We offer a fixed fee service for registering a commercial lease.

Call Chris today on 0151 227 3391 for a free no obligation quote!

Why Choose Bartletts Solicitors?

Solid Traditional Values Delivered
In A Modern Convenient Manner


Our firm has years of experience in commercial property matters across England and Wales.

Benefit from competitive fixed fees, a free no obligation quotation and no hidden costs.

Our solicitors are very experienced having worked at the firm for an average of 18 years.

Customer service is very important to us. John Bartlett has been managing the firm for over 40 years and takes customer satisfaction very seriously.

Send Our Commercial Property Law Team An Enquiry:

Commercial Property Team:

Commercial Property Solicitor
Contact James Edwards for a free no obligation quotation today by phone or via our contact form. James is a commercial property solicitor advising landlords and tenants on commercial leases.

James also has experience in buying and selling commercial property. He is friendly and very approachable. James works with Christopher Bartlett, who is an experienced commercial property solicitor working on large development projects.


About Our Commercial Property Team >>

Commercial Lease Information:



Commercial Lease Types:

Bartletts is proud to support a number of public bodies and charities, including Liverpool Cathedral, National Museums Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery and Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice. You can find out more on our blog or on social media.

“I was delighted Bartletts Solicitors continued their tradition of philanthropy with Liverpool Cathedral this year. Thank you so much for your generous gift.” - The Dean of Liverpool, The Very Revd Dr. Sue Jones (Dec 2020)



Scroll to find TrustPilot and Google reviews that are relevant to you: