Freedman set to combat commercial lease fiasco

A top property solicitor at London firm Mishcon de Reya has been drafted in once again in a last-ditch attempt to remedy the fiasco surrounding the reform of commercial leasehold.Philip Freedman, joint managing partner and head of the firm's property department, was last week reappointed the leader of the joint working group on commercial leases - set up to facilitate a voluntary self-regulatory framework for the commercial property industry - after it was reconvened at the government's request.This follows numerous failed attempts to reach agreement on commercial leasehold terms, leaving tenants fuming over much-maligned upwards-only rent reviews.Earlier this year, Mr Freedman wrote to then housing minister Nick Raynsford, warning him that relations between landlords and tenants were breaking down (see [2001] Gazette, 12 April, 5).

The government has laid down a strict timetable which will govern the drafting and implementation of a new voluntary code.

It expects outline proposals by the end of next month, a full consultation draft to be circulated by the end of January 2002, and the new code in full operation by the end of March 2002.

Regeneration minister Sally Keeble has threatened that if the timetable is not adhered to, the government will be looking to legislation to solve the problem.Mr Freedman criticised the timetable as 'onerous' but said the group's main objective now will be to stick to it and dispense with the threat of legislative measures which is hanging over the sector's head.'The landlords and tenants are the warring parties, but we are going to try and achieve a result within the timetable,' Mr Freedman said.

'It will be a challenge.'Paula Rohan