Member Blog

Getting to grips with your responsibilities

If you own a commercial property for rent, you’ll know it comes with certain responsibilities to your tenants and the wider public. But there is often a great deal of confusion about who is responsible for what, especially when it comes to legal health and safety requirements and insurance: landlord or tenant? And it’s no wonder, because as well as what’s written in the lease, there are legal responsibilities on both sides that can sometimes overlap.

We look at each area of commercial property landlord responsibilities and clear up any misconceptions.

Maintenance and repairs

Most commercial properties are let on a Fully Repairing and Insuring (FRI) Lease, which places the onus on the tenant for any repairs, as well as any costs to return the building to its original state at the end of the tenancy. However, don’t assume that all maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of the tenant.

If the building is let to multiple tenants, the landlord will usually retain responsibility for maintaining and cleaning communal areas and the structural integrity of the main building.

Commercial property insurance

Most commercial leases will seek to transfer the cost of insurance on to the tenants. But that doesn’t mean landlords can wash their hands of their responsibility for insurance – indeed, it’s in the landlord’s interest to arrange the insurance themselves for a variety of reasons. As well as being able to choose their own insurance broker or insurer, they can retain control over the whole process in the event of a claim, as well as specifying the level of cover, which can vary between insurers. There’s no such thing as a standard commercial property insurance policy, with some policies automatically including things like loss of rent or contents cover.

It’s important to make sure you have to right cover so, if you’re unsure how to insure a commercial property, get in touch with one of our experts.

Fire safety

The person with control over the premises will have responsibility for fire safety, including evacuation procedures, which will usually be the tenant if the premises are rented as a workplace. However, the landlord should always include fire safety in any risk assessment undertaken, and may be responsible for providing equipment, like fire extinguishers.

Gas safety

The terms of the lease should clearly set out who is responsible for the safety of any gas installations in the building. It will often specify that the tenant is responsible for ensuring the safety of any gas appliance, installation pipework or flue installed in their workplace, while landlords should look after the safety of installations in any communal areas.

Electrical safety

There is a legal responsibility on the landlord to ensure that electrical safety standards are maintained. This includes a duty of care to ensure all reasonable steps and precautions are taken to prevent personal injury to tenants, or damage to their property. Tenants are responsible for the safety of any electrical appliances they buy or install.

Asbestos

The ‘duty holder’ has a responsibility to manage asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Under an FRI lease this will usually be the tenant, but if the duties are not clearly defined in the lease it will be the person who has the most control over the building.

Fixtures and fittings

Fixtures and fittings belonging to the landlord need to be safe to use, correctly installed and maintained by them. Tenants are responsible for the safety of and maintaining any fixtures and fittings they install. This should be made clear in the lease.

Air conditioning, heating or refrigeration systems

Responsibility for air conditioning, heating or refrigeration systems rests with the party who has control over the technical functioning of the equipment, which will usually be the tenant. But, the landlord may retain responsibility for these if they retain some day-to-day responsibilities for running the site.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

New regulations came into force on April 1, 2018 which made it a legal requirement for eligible rented properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of no worse than E.

• From now, it’s unlawful to grant new leases on a commercial property which has an EPC rating worse than E
• From April 1, 2023 it will be unlawful to continue to let eligible commercial property which does not meet the minimum standards.

The Code for Leasing Business Premises

Drawn up in 2007, the Code for Leasing Business Premises is a voluntary best practice code created by a collaboration between commercial property professionals and industry bodies representing both landlords and tenants. Its intention is to promote fairness in commercial leases, and landlords are encouraged to adhere to 10 key points, which can be found here.

Looking for more detail? Download the full article on our website.

Deep Tech sounds like a character from the X-Files right? While it’s not a covert government agency, Deep Tech is affecting people’s lives without them even knowing it, but it’s not something we need to be afraid of. There are lots of very technical and wordy definitions of Deep Tech, but essentially it means technology that has an engineering aspect while having a demonstrable impact on people’s daily lives. Rather than a disruptive technology, like AirBnB or Deliveroo – apps that alter a service that already existed – a Deep Tech breakthrough could use technology to cure cancer or expand space travel. AirBnB is an intangible app, while Deep Tech often involves robots or breakthroughs in scientific or medical equipment. Good examples are artificial wombs to increase the survival chances of premature babies, or brain implants to improve the independence of stroke victims. It’s not just medical advancements that are benefitting from Deep Tech, but improvements to smart homes and cleaner cities as well as energy efficiency are all developing areas of Deep Tech. Self driving cars and lithium-ion batteries could vastly improve the environment and how we live in it and are both examples of Deep Tech. Since 2015 European investment in Deep Tech has been growing three times faster than B2C investments (Wavestone https://www.wavestone.com/en/insight/deep-tech-global-investor-survey-2017/ ) and it’s easy to see why when the impact that technology of this kind can have is made clear. Rather than just making it easier for people to order the weekly shop, or interact with a video on social media, discoveries in the Deep Tech arena make fundamental changes to how we live and survive. Researchers and scientists working in Deep Tech have not only created machines that can replicate human actions, but improve them. Like something from a science fiction movie, ‘HoloEyes’ are goggles that can provide a surgeon with a patient’s anatomy before the first incision is made, right there in the operating room. Harvard scientists have gone one further into the science fiction realm and created a brand new material, never before seen on earth. Metallic hydrogen was formed after 45 years of research and tests and has enormous potential, from space travel to superconducting abilities. Deep Tech is technology at its most advanced and it’s most useful. While it may not affect all of us at once, the advancements being made in this field have a huge impact that will influence and hopefully improve daily life on a global scale.

Earlier this year, the government put through a motion in an attempt to phase out more polluting Lorries. The new HGV Levy-which applies to 12 tonne lorries or more- acts as an incentive to HGV operators to make the change to Euro 6 Trucks by the 1st February 2019. It rewards those that comply with a 10% reduction of usual Levy fees. Failure to conform to the new standards will result in a 20% tax hike, meaning that some businesses may have to increase their daily expenditure by up to 25%. 

As you can imagine there is a general divide of opinions. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) have stated that once again, this shows the governments’ indifference to changes that have already been implemented within the haulage industry. Figures show that there has been a 43% decrease in Nitrous Oxide within the last 5 years. Furthermore, the RHA have voiced further concerns over whether this directly punishes small to medium sized haulage businesses. The short turn around for compliance makes it almost impossible for smaller businesses to invest in a new fleet within 12 months of notice.

Whilst the early introduction of ‘Clean Air Zones’ means that cities and towns will benefit from less pollution, it is easy to question who is looking out for smaller haulage businesses that the supply-chain depend on.

We provide finance solutions so that you can keep your business on the move. 

At Chatsbrook, we provide a tailored service so that all of your requirements are met. The new HGV levy causes a predicament, but with our expertise we can source a range of financial solutions so that you can overcome this hurdle and continue your operational growth and expansion.

Whether you are interested in a bespoke finance package to change a truck, or if you would like a business loan to invest in a complete overhaul of Euro 6 Trucks, we can conserve your cash flow and give advice on the best option to suit you.

Our only aim is to build long-term relationships with our clients; our finance solutions support your business, so it can flourish in the face of adversity.

Complete our quick quote form and we will contact you ASAP

If you have any questions regarding our services, please do not hesitate to contact our experts directly on 01603 733500. Alternatively you can email [email protected]

There are many sites online that you may use to compare insurance quotes. Go Compare and Compare the Market are amongst the plethora of websites that help you to save time and money on your insurance. But what if there was an easy way to compare vehicle finance?

Chatsbrook, are independent, we are not tied to one product or lender, much like these online services, we search the market for deals and deliver the best suited ones to you. With a SAF (Specialist Automotive Finance) approved team you can be confident that dealing with knowledgeable experts who are trained to such a  high standard shall provide the correct advice and guidance so that you can purchase your next car with a finance product that meets your needs. The main difference is that we provide a personal service on finance arrangements. Our ethos is built upon providing excellent, personal customer service that you can depend on. The benefit of speaking directly to our clients is that it ensures your requirements are fully understood.   If you use sites like Confused.com to save you money on your insurance, why not explore how much money you could save on your vehicle finance with us?   Whether you want to live your dream and purchase a supercar, or save money on a current arrangement, call to obtain a new finance quote with Chatsbrook on 01603 733500 to see how much money you will save.    Email [email protected] to find out what we could offer you.

If you have an idea for a business venture, it may help to know that Chatsbrook can relieve you of financial strain. Whatever the industry your business is in, our extensive portfolio means that financial advice given comes from a wealth of experience. 

If you have a young business, working with a broker that understands your needs can prove invaluable. We can provide you with advice and a range of affordable finance agreements-including loans- to help your business off it’s feet. Working with Chatsbrook from the offset gives your business a chance to thrive, as our relationship develops so will your financials year on year. 

Our business loans allow our clients to acquire assets without an age restriction. They are an unsecured finance agreement which can allow your cash to be used in the most productive way. Releasing cash can enable your business to sit in a better financial position, allow a contingency for unexpected situations and aid reinvestment in smarter business solutions. In some circumstances that require a quick turnover, a business loan may be a better alternative to finance options as it can be obtained quicker. Have a conversation with our experts on 01603 733500 to find out how we can help your business flourish.

Whether you are a new business, or an established one, we endeavour to support you every step of the way. Parting with large sums of money in a short time period can be avoided with the use of our services. Chatsbrook understand that cash flow is vital for businesses, which is why we offer bespoke finance arrangements that work specifically for you. With lower monthly repayments and fixed interest rates, you can invest in new equipment such as hardware/software, technology and machinery, without feeling that there is a cavity in your wallet. 

We strongly believe that it is imperative to support growing UK businesses to help the British economy overall. By supporting businesses today, we are paving the way for a better tomorrow. Email [email protected] to find out more on how we can help you and your business.

A suppliers route to finance is not always the best avenue to take if you would like to save money. We at Chatsbrook are dedicated to finding our customers the most competitive finance package on the market. In an interview with Adrian Brooks-Director of Chatsbrook- he discussed our business ethos and growth, as well as clients worries and how we can help to overcome them.

From the copious, positive customer testimonials it is clear that Chatsbrook pulls out all the stops for each individual customer. Our ethos, as stated by Adrian is “To provide competitive finance packages from the outset with credible customer service. We have a genuine passion and care about the outcome. It’s not just about doing business once, it is about creating loyal customers that continue to use our services.”

There is a general misconception that suppliers will always offer the best deal. Creating financial agreements with suppliers may seem like the easiest way to purchase an asset, but quite often it doesn’t save you time or money. Adrian advised that “There is always an alternative finance route to customers rather than choosing the suppliers route- it is always worth looking at other options. There are better deals out there.”

In a world of competition, Chatsbrook sets the benchmark for business conducted with integrity and morality. We just “aim to do right by the customer”.

Our finance packages are modified to suit each individual need. Adrian articulated “When we agree a finance package we like to ensure that it fits any persons affordability”. We do not create finance arrangements that could burden you, instead they are streamlined to make sure that they do not effect your quality of life. Finance agreements can also be arranged to help free up your cash flow, which is something that may be desirable if you are in the commercial industry.

There are many benefits to using Chatsbrook. For instance, the speed that we can turn things around, our transparency and genuine care for each outcome. But there is one particular added security benefit that should be noted. Adrian explained “If you have purchased something on finance that goes wrong, there is a third party in the agreement that can make contact with the supplier on behalf of the customer.” In some cases, it can take the weight of an additional company-like Chatsbrook- to put pressure on the supplier to rectify an issue if something happens to an asset.

If you have an asset in mind that you would like to finance, your next step could be to contact us for a free quote on 01603 733500 today. If you have any additional questions then feel free to email now at [email protected]

We at Chatsbrook, promise to provide you with an efficient service to save you time AND money.

How much deposit do I need?

Some agreements start from as a little as zero. However, for the majority of agreements we would recommend a deposit from 10% of the value of the asset.

Which finance package would suit me best?

If you wish to own the vehicle/asset we would recommend either a Hire Purchase (HP) or Lease Purchase (LP).

If you wanted to have use of the asset but not own at the end of the agreement then Contract Hire, Operating Lease or Finance Lease may be the option for you.

You can find out more about our finance options in our Finance Solutions Explained page.

Alternatively speak to one our experts on 01603 733500 or email Consumer Credit Act (CCA). After making the outstanding payments you will be entitled to a rebate of interest charges for the period of time that would have been left on the agreement.

If you have an unregulated agreement there is no provision for early settlement. If you want to get out of the agreement, you will have to pay all the outstanding payments. However,  some lenders will give a very small % reduction.

Can I transfer my agreement to someone else?

Personal agreements cannot transferred. Agreements would need to be settled by the original party and a new agreement can created for the new applicant.

Corporate agreements can potentially be novated across to a new business.

What paperwork do I need?

We ask all clients to complete an initial Finance Proposal suitable for the applicant status (Personal or Business Application).

Private clients shall need to produce photographic ID in the form of a Drivers Licence or copy of a Passport. Whereas Business Clients will have to provide a copy of the most recent business accounts or bank statements for the business over the last three months.

What are my termination rights?

Regulated agreements can be cancelled within 14 days.

Unregulated agreements have no cancellation rights.

In the contemporary world, the majority of companies rely on technology to successfully run their business. At Chatsbrook, we understand that technology empowers businesses, so investing in equipment with a flexible finance product is a smart solution. Our client Richard Pike Associates are now benefitting from financing new software and hardware.

Richard Pike Associates are building, design and planning specialists that help clients to achieve their dream home. They work with individuals looking to remodel a conservatory, all the way through to working with some of the largest housebuilders and housing associations in the UK. Much like Chatsbrook, they cater to client’s individual needs which can include organising contractors and providing technical drawings on projects. Their aim is to “to deliver high quality, innovative building and design solutions with outstanding customer service in a supportive work environment to exceed our client’s expectations.”

Richard Pike Associates have been working with Chatsbrook for a little over a year now, and during that time we have helped RPA to finance state of the art software and hardware.

“We used to primarily use AutoCAD and still do use it sometimes but now the new ArchiCAD software which we funded is far more advanced for Architecture. It allows us to do realistic 3D design as if you were building it with the actual materials on screen, rather than just drawing lines, you use objects such as bricks and insulation. This means more accuracy and less issues when a builder goes to build it. Time wise the new software takes more time to use but less issues and revisions down the line.

The new Hardware financed was the new printer/plotter/scanner. Before we had a 10 year old plotter which would take minutes to print out an A1 drawing. Now the new one will print in around 20 seconds. This obviously saves a lot of time!”

The benefits reaped by contemporary hardware and software financed through Chatsbrook, not only benefits the team of Richard Pike Associates, but their customers too. As they are afforded an efficient and flexible service that can keep up with the changing needs of RPA’s customers- and within budget. 

Financing new hardware and software can be beneficial to most businesses, as like [email protected]

Sometimes orthodox finance solutions may not be best suited to you and your needs. At Chatsbrook we ensure that our clients always have the means to grasp every opportunity that presents itself.

Refinance is a finance solution that allows you to release equity from assets you already own or currently finance, so you can conquer every opportunity.

On one particular instance we were approached by a customer who wanted to purchase land for a new business venture. He stated that he wished to quickly fund the purchase over a scale of five years. The most orthodox way of purchasing land would have been through a Land Mortgage, but due to the desired term and speed it did not appeal to the customer.

After speaking to our panel of lenders, we were able to locate a lender without an ‘Aged Asset’ policy and secure equity release from refinancing the client’s agricultural machinery,  one 2012 Class Lexon and two 2014 New Holland tractors. Refinancing his existing assets was better suited to his needs as it raised the £140,000 capital he desired for the agreed 60 month timescale against the value of his assets. This was a great example of how Refinancing can provide funding for a business opportunity when the more orthodox route to purchase, in this case a Land Mortgage, is less suited to the customer.

The client was impressed by the quick decision and turn around, and was also happy to have enrolled in a new business project.

As one of the oldest industries, Farming and agriculture has always been integral to our economy. Investing in contemporary equipment is one way to keep up with market fluctuations and improve sustainability. Chatsbrook understand that investing in new machinery is vital to the development of the enterprise culture within the farming and agriculture industry.

If you have capital tied up in assets, then Refinancing or Equity Release may be an option for you. Refinance provides financial stability, as you can restructure existing monthly repayments. Equity Release provides financial flexibility as you are able to raise capital from assets you already own.

At Chatsbrook, the service we provide is dedicated to ensuring your personal and business needs are completely taken care of. We listen to your requirements and advise accordingly, only ever offering the best competitive deal on the market. Ring us today for a free quote 01603 733500 or email [email protected]

The weather has turned colder, in fact, this October was the coldest recorded this decade. With this cold weather, rodents start looking for a warm home. The best control, as with all pests, is to do what you can to avoid them becoming a nuisance in the first place. We call this prevention!

Rodents, rats, mice and even squirrels can cause a lot of damage to homes, and businesses. From destroying furniture, chewing through wires and cables to spreading disease.

Spotting the signs of an infestation

Rats and mice are certainly most active at night, therefore it is often easier to spot the signs of an infestation than the actual pests.

You may find their droppings or marks they leave as they travel along their routes, you may hear scratching noises at night, find holes (they dig extensive burrow systems); also watch out for teeth marks (rodents need to gnaw continuously to keep their teeth short). They will use whatever soft material is available to them to make a nest – including loft insulation, cardboard, so keep a lookout for shredded material.

Preventing the problems rodents cause can be easier than trying to control an infestation.

Here are a few tips that could save you from having rodents:

• Rodents are attracted to a property if they can detect potential food sources.
• Keep foodstuffs in containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Don’t throw scraps of food outside and make sure all food waste is securely wrapped and always stored in the appropriate bin.
• Repair any small holes in brickwork and holes in outside walls, floorboards or skirting boards. They will find a way to enter your property!
• Tidy cupboards and remove any potential nesting material. As we said earlier, rodents will use any soft material such as loft insulation and cardboard.
• Keep your home or business tidy. The less clutter there is the fewer places they will have to hide.
• Clean up any waste pet food or bird seed debris regularly. Store these items in containers with fitted lids and preferably above ground level.
• Keep gardens free from debris and clutter.
• Don’t put food waste in your compost bins. This is sure to attract mice and rats.
• Do act quickly and call in the professionals to prevent a larger infestation developing.
• If you have already spotted signs of rats or mice such as droppings, it may already be too late. Give us a call as soon as you can on freephone 0800 980 9609.

Don’t give the pests a chance to breed and become a major infestation. Only a professional rodent control programme can provide reassuring protection from the risk of rats and mice on your premises. Request a free survey on our website. 

Over the last few weeks this column has looked at the various stages of a marketing strategy. It’s gone from building awareness with your prospects to being found at the research or comparison stages through to the actual point of all this marketing effort: the conversion, or sale. We have looked briefly at some really big subjects and mentioned products in passing that really do need explaining more thoroughly. It is true that the devil is in the detail – there truly aren’t shortcuts to success. Marketing a business needs to be a well planned and thought-out affair, and to avoid it also being cripplingly expensive, a business must be able to understand which product might give the needed outcome. It becomes even more tricky when you factor in the chaos that is people. People are active on social media in the evening, looking at purchases on a desktop computer during their lunch hour, and searching on their mobile phone while walking the high street. Getting people (or potential customers) to your business can be like herding cats. Your potential customers are all over the place: gone are the days when ads in the Yellow Pages and local newspapers covered all bases, now your customers can be anywhere and looking for you at any time of day. Advertising success for a business now comes from understanding all of the platforms, methods and routes to your market. Over the next couple of weeks we will look at the individual tools you can use in a little more detail. We will have a look at display and brand building advertising, websites, PPC, SEO and social media in a little more detail. Each week we will take a different group of products and highlight their strengths, the best way to use them and if you are interested we will point you to some useful content on our website for more help. If you want to get started, and build the basis for a good marketing strategy you can start looking at an overview of marketing tools and purchase funnels.

FKGB Accounting was named after its founders, Farley Kaye and Gary Bloch. An accountancy firm originating from London, England, the company has moved to Tel Aviv in Israel to assist individuals and companies who are trading in both countries. With Israel having a fast moving tech, research and development and pharmaceutical industry, there is huge scope for companies to work with FKGB. 

We were approached by the client to help their website rank in Israel (google.co.il) for UK accountants in Israel. So if you are an Israeli company and looking for specific accountants with a knowledge and understanding of the UK, FKGB would be the right fit for you. This can relate to companies or individuals too and how it affects their trusts, inheritance and finances too.

Updating their website

FKGB have just launched a new website and when doing this, you need to do a full SEO check to ensure that you do not lose any of your rankings. Several anomalies can occur including missing meta-data, descriptions, crawl errors and broken pages which emerge as a result of new URLs and pages being changes. This was the first priority for the SEO work we did, going through every single page and making sure that it is optimised. We also went through over 100 images on the website and added alt-text which Google looks for to read the image more effectively. Other additions included the generation of a new sitemap, robots txt file and settings on Yoast SEO.

Next steps

As we continue with SEO with FKGB over the next few months, we have to position FKGB as the one-stop shop and the ‘go-to’ place for UK accountants in Israel. This will be achieved through the additional of regular content (one news or article per week) and the acquisition of relevant links from Israeli-based news and finance websites – with relationships already sparked with the likes of Arutz Sheva and The Jerusalem Post.

Elsewhere, we need to ensure that the search results are not just in English but Hebrew too – so we have suggested the addition of landing pages written in Hebrew so that we can cover all our bases.

In the first month, we did not only maintain the strong search results but also lifted them significantly as FKGB ranks number 1 in Israel for ‘British Accountants’ – we will therefore scale our strategy to incorporate other keywords too.