Get heads of terms drafted or reviewed before the lease stage gathers momentum

The answer usually depends on what is already on the table. If a landlord, agent or other party has produced a draft that broadly reflects the deal, review may be enough to test whether anything important is missing or slanted against you. If there is no usable draft yet, or the commercial points have only been discussed informally, drafting can help turn those points into a clearer preliminary document. In either case, the work relates to one heads of terms document rather than the whole lease transaction.

They should record the principal commercial points clearly enough that the lease stage is not built on assumptions. That often includes the parties, the premises, rent, any deposit, term, rent review position, break rights, permitted use, repair or service charge positions, assignment or sharing rights, incentives, fit-out arrangements and any conditions that need to be met before the lease proceeds. The exact content depends on the transaction, but the main objective is to avoid vague wording that leaves major issues to be argued about later.

The drafting or review usually turns on the premises, the type of business using the space, the commercial deal already discussed and any practical constraints around consent, occupation or fit-out. A restaurant premises, office suite and salon unit may all raise different issues even if the document heading is the same. We also need to know whether there are special arrangements on incentives, break options, alterations or sharing occupation. Those details shape both the wording and the points that need to be highlighted for negotiation.

It can be. A template may capture the basic headings, but it often leaves important commercial points too open or frames them in a way that does not match the actual transaction. For example, a generic form may not deal well with a specific fit-out arrangement, a narrow permitted use, unusual incentive wording or conditions around landlord consent. Because heads of terms often influence the first lease draft, weak wording at this stage can create avoidable friction later. Tailored legal input helps test whether the document works for the deal you are actually doing.

Timing depends on whether you need a fresh draft or comments on an existing document, and on how much information is available at the outset. In many matters, the work can be completed within a few business days. If the document is short but the deal is commercially complex, follow-up questions may affect the overall timeline. Once the drafting or review is complete, you can use the document to progress negotiations or move into the lease stage with a clearer record of the main agreed points.

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At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from £100 to £1,500 depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

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