Check your Lease - Expired and Expiring Practice Leases

You may have seen a recent BMA email reminding members that ~10% of practices operating without a valid lease, and that a further 20% of leases are expiring within the next five years across all health boards.

Many practices are likely unaware their lease has expired or is close to expiry and there are some key risks for practices without a lease:

• No protection if landlord serves notice (Section 25 or Section 50)

• Liability can fall on retired/former partners still named on the lease

Real-world example: one practice spent 2-3 years in Porter cabin emergency accommodation after a deceased partner’s estate reclaimed the building!

Lease renegotiation is an opportunity to add break clauses and other protections and Costs (e.g. ~£3k) are business expenses and tax-deductible.

Whilst the LMC cannot provide advice regarding these matters beyond encouraging Practices to check their Lease, we recommend practices read the BMA guidance and use specialist property lawyers and surveyors. The BMA provide a GP premises lease template here.