COMMERCIAL LANDLORD GUIDE

How do I let a commercial property in the UK?

Understand the commercial letting process across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - and how Letlaunch brings marketing, applicants and optional letting tools together online.

For commercial landlords across the UK Letting process
THE SHORT ANSWER

Letting commercial property involves preparing the premises, agreeing proposed terms, advertising, assessing occupiers, preparing heads of terms and completing the lease. Requirements differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Letlaunch is a modern online commercial letting agent: market your property from £149, manage applicants in your portal and add optional Heads of Terms creation or commercial tenant referencing as needed. The platform is designed around efficient online workflows and intelligent AI integration.

ONLINE COMMERCIAL LETTING AGENCY

Move from commercial listing to agreed terms in one online journey.

Letlaunch combines commercial portal advertising, an applicant-management portal and optional Heads of Terms and referencing tools. Choose the services you need, retain control of your property and benefit from a modern digital-first agency approach.

All four UK nations Letting tools & applicant portal Intelligent AI integration
Explore Letlaunch Services
01

Check the property before marketing

Confirm ownership and any consent requirements, including lender or superior-landlord restrictions. Check the current use and whether the premises can legally accommodate the uses you intend to advertise.

Check whether an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is needed, what its rating is and what must be shown when marketing. For relevant non-domestic rented property in England and Wales, the minimum energy efficiency standard is generally EPC E, unless an exemption or exclusion applies. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own EPC rules and should not be assumed to follow England and Wales MEES.

Check the nation where the property is located before advertising: EPC duties, business-tenancy protections, planning rules and property taxes are not uniform throughout the UK. A country-by-country overview appears below.

02

Decide rent and headline terms

Assess comparable premises and set an asking rent that reflects location, size, condition and lease terms. Clarify whether the rent is stated per annum and whether VAT, business rates or service charges apply.

Consider the proposed term, repairing obligations, rent reviews, permitted use and whether any incentives are offered. Solicitors or surveyors can advise on the implications.

03

Prepare and publish the advertisement

Create accurate particulars with photographs, the floor area and relevant access information. Advertise where suitable businesses are likely to look, which may include specialist property portals and an on-site board.

Letlaunch Commercial provides a self-managed advertising option from £149, with an optional Rightmove Commercial upgrade for £99.

WHY LETLAUNCH COMMERCIAL?

How Letlaunch supports the letting process - not just the advert

Finding an interested occupier is only part of the letting. Letlaunch brings the practical online stages into one place, with optional tools that can help organise applicants and prepare for agreed terms more efficiently.

Market the premises

Create a listing for LoopNet from £149 and choose whether to add Rightmove Commercial. Enquiries and applicants can be handled through your portal.

Agree and check key details

Optional Heads of Terms tools and commercial tenant referencing help you prepare for the next stage after an interested applicant emerges.

Built for smarter, AI-integrated workflows

Letlaunch combines the key digital steps of a commercial letting in one modern platform, designed for intelligent AI integration while leaving legal lease advice to a suitable solicitor.

Letlaunch covers commercial properties in all four UK nations. Legal rules differ by nation, and optional Heads of Terms or referencing services do not replace jurisdiction-specific legal advice.

04

Manage enquiries and agree heads of terms

Respond promptly, understand the occupier’s business and assess its requirements. Arrange viewings and conduct tenant referencing to understand the applicant's financial suitability.

Record agreed commercial points in heads of terms, making clear any aspects that remain subject to contract or formal approval. Heads of terms should not be treated as a substitute for a properly drafted lease.

Rent, lease term and key dates
Permitted use and alterations
Repairs, insurance and service charge
Business-tenancy renewal rights and any relevant exceptions
Guarantees, deposits and any conditions
05

Complete the lease and handover

Instruct a solicitor experienced in commercial leases in the country where the property is situated. They can address lease drafting, title, consents, registration, business-tenancy protections and any relevant transaction taxes. Depending on the jurisdiction and transaction, those may involve SDLT (England and Northern Ireland), LTT (Wales) or LBTT (Scotland).

Document the handover, meter readings, keys and any agreed condition schedule. Commercial property involves more variation than ordinary residential letting, so use advice suited to the particular premises and occupier.

06

Which commercial letting rules apply in each UK nation?

Letlaunch Commercial accepts commercial properties in all four nations, but the legal requirements depend on the location of the premises. This is a starting point, not a substitute for advice on a particular transaction.

England

For relevant non-domestic lettings, the EPC E minimum energy-efficiency standard generally applies unless a valid exemption or exclusion applies. Many qualifying business tenancies have renewal protection under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) can apply to chargeable leases.

Wales

The non-domestic minimum energy-efficiency standard generally also applies in Wales, subject to its scope and exemptions. Business-tenancy protections under the 1954 Act are relevant, but property transactions may be subject to Welsh Land Transaction Tax (LTT), not SDLT. Check Welsh planning and other local requirements.

Scotland

Scottish commercial lease law differs from the law of England and Wales. An EPC is normally required when a non-domestic building is let to a new tenant, and the EPC rating must appear in commercial marketing. Additional energy-related duties can apply to certain larger buildings. Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) may apply to a commercial lease.

Northern Ireland

The Business Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 can affect qualifying business tenancies. EPC rules require the energy-performance information in relevant marketing material. SDLT may apply to chargeable commercial leases, but check the applicable Northern Ireland property and planning rules.

YOUR ONLINE COMMERCIAL LETTING AGENT

From your first advert to agreeing commercial terms.

Letlaunch brings commercial marketing, applicant management and optional letting tools into one digital-first agency experience, with the landlord in control and costs kept transparent.

Start My Listing Explore Letlaunch Commercial
From £149 No advertising commission For landlords across the UK

Have a Question?

Raise a support ticket with the letlaunch team.
We boast a 1-2 hour response time for all enquiries.

NAME

USER TYPE

EMAIL

MESSAGE

ATTACHMENT (optional)