Hidden cost in office lease

[BertyFish]

Quick question. It might be my fault but asking for thoughts.

Small office space, rented for 6 months all fine agreed a further 6 months, lease drafted and signed in august.

A few months down the line today I receive an email along the lines of as of point 4.5 of your lease agreement there is a charge of £180 due for preparation of lease.
This was not in the first draft signed and obviously added in a 2 line point in with a 15 page document.

I’ve always paid the 6 months upfront and it’s not a huge amount but leaves a soar taste. I would have thought hidden costs should have been pointed out before signing, I know this is the case with car finance etc.

Just suck it up?

[FazerBoy]

Do you have an email confirming the terms agreed prior to the drafting of the lease?

[Doofus]

Did you initial each page of the lease you signed?

[BertyFish]

I think the leave draft was emailed, printed and signed/witnessed.

It was just a signature on the front page of the lease.

Not expecting much, it’s just unexpected as additional to the lease 6 months before. Only changes I was aware of was dates and discount for paying in full for the term.

Like I say just a soar taste as I’m a small sign company and anything they have needed urgent I’ve turned around quickly at cost price.

[FazerBoy]

I wouldn’t pay it.

Tell them you were not made aware of this charge when the terms were agreed for a renewal of the lease.

I very much doubt they’ll sue you for it if they would like you to stay on for another term once this lease is up.

[BertyFish]

First and second drafts… looks obvious like this but it’s 15 or so pages once printer. A few additional points one being 4.5.

That’s why I’m confused, it was paid in full back in august and now 3 months on they’ve sent me an invoice.

Edited by BertyFish on Friday 19th November 11:38

[Mandat]

What is the extent of your future dilapidations liability?

[BertyFish]

I plan to stay for a awhile so i dont want make things messy.

I'll just say it was unexpected, thinkiing the contract was as before and thought additional costs would have been mentioned

[Zoon]

BertyFish said:

Like I say just a soar taste as I’m a small sign company and anything they have needed urgent I’ve turned around quickly at cost price.

Send them an invoice for the items you've done at cost in the past with a £180 admin fee.

[Chrisgr31]

I assume this is a serviced office? Otherwise if you want to stay why you on such a short lease? Its fairly common in commercial leases for the landlord to want the tenant to pay their legal costs. In future just strike it out and see what they say!

[Sheepshanks]

BertyFish said:

Like I say just a soar taste as I’m a small sign company and anything they have needed urgent I’ve turned around quickly at cost price.

They’ll have to pay more in future as they’ve increased your costs.

[twohoursfromlondon]

I deal with commercial leases on a daily basis and would therefore suggest as you signed the document you accepted the terms contained within.

I guess you didn’t have a lawyer look over it, as it sounds a fairly simple licence agreement, so as you’ve effectively agreed it you’ll be liable for this amount.

It’s a bit stty for your landlord to add it in though if there was no mention prior.

[BertyFish]

I know, hands up it’s my fault for not reading the contract .
£180 wouldn’t have changed my mind, a little annoyed
It wasn’t pointed out from the last contract.

I guess my next sign prices will have to eat into it at sometime in the future.