Home Legal Services Commercial Property Solicitors Cardiff – Darwin Gray
This is a clause in the lease stating which party is responsible for complying with statutes that affect the property and the tenant’s occupation of it.
The overarching purpose is generally as far as possible to shift responsibility for statutory compliance from the landlord on to the tenant. This also gives the landlord a direct right against the tenant for breach of covenant if the tenant does not comply with this obligation.
The lease will likely contain a definition of laws or statutes, which should include:
This should also include any changes to the laws during the term of the lease.
Although not necessary, a compliance with laws clause often also includes reference to a number of specific statutes. The justification for this is for the landlord to draw the tenant’s attention to particular legislation and also provides the landlord with an opportunity to add any further obligations on the tenant.
The type of legislation that may be specifically referred to includes:
In a lease with a very short term a tenant may be able to successfully argue that such a clause should be removed from the lease.
If not and in most cases, the tenant will want to ensure that it only needs to comply with statutory obligations relating to its use and occupation of the property. A tenant will also be keen to ensure that the clause does not require them to incur any capital expenditure or improve the property when complying with a statutory obligation and that the landlord should be obliged to comply with these requirements.
If you need any advice on statutory obligation clauses, please contact a member of our commercial property law team in confidence here or on 02920 829 100 for a free initial call to see how they can help.
You won’t be passed through layers of gatekeepers here. When you call, you’ll speak to the commercial property solicitor handling your matter. You’ll have their mobile number, their email, and a genuine working relationship. When you need a quick answer on a property issue, that direct access makes all the difference.
Commercial property rarely exists in isolation. Your transaction might involve employment issues (if you’re relocating staff), corporate structuring questions (if you’re buying through a company), tax implications, or potential commercial property disputes. Our commercial property lawyers share knowledge across departments, so you get joined-up advice without having to instruct multiple firms.
Property transactions often move quickly. A landlord gives you 48 hours to respond. A competing buyer is circling. You need to complete before a deadline. Our devolved decision-making and flexible working hours mean we can move at pace when you need us to.
We invest time in understanding your business, not just your immediate property needs. That means we can spot opportunities and flag risks that a solicitor focused only on the current transaction might miss. Many of our clients have worked with us for years across multiple properties.
You’ll always get the full picture from us. We’ll explain your options, the risks of each approach, and the likely costs, so you can make informed decisions. We won’t tell you what you want to hear; we’ll tell you what you need to know.
We’re the leading commercial law firm with offices in South and North Wales offering Welsh language legal services at every level. For Welsh businesses, landowners, and property transactions involving Welsh-language documentation, our bilingual capability is a genuine advantage.
To speak to one of our experts today, please contact us on 02920 829 100 or by using our Contact Us form for a free initial chat to see how we can help.
02920 829 100 
