Commercial rent or service charge dispute?
For landlords, tenants and managing agents under business leases of offices, shops, industrial units and other commercial premises.
How can a commercial landlord or tenant resolve a service charge dispute quickly?
Refer it to Dispute Neutral. An independent lawyer decides on the lease and the service charge accounts, with a binding decision within 10 business days of the matter being ready and a fixed fee. Disputes needing expert surveyor evidence are not suitable.
Disputes we decide
Common reasons payment stops in your sector.
Service charges
Disagreements about what can be charged and how it is shared.
Rent arrears
Arrears and interest under the lease.
Insurance and other recharges
Recharges the tenant disputes.
Deposits
Disputes about deductions from rent deposits.
Why use Dispute Neutral
- The lease and the service charge accounts are the evidence.
- Fixed fee from £650 + VAT.
- Private and quick, which helps keep a landlord and tenant relationship working.
Both businesses must agree to use Dispute Neutral, either through a clause in your terms or once the dispute has arisen. How to ask them.
What is not suitable
Disputes that need detailed expert evidence, such as most end-of-lease dilapidations claims, are not suitable. Residential tenancies are consumer matters and are not covered.
- Example
- A tenant disputes £20,000 of service charges. The Dispute Neutral fee is £1,200 + VAT, fixed.
- Amount in dispute
- £20,000
- Dispute Neutral fee
- £1,200 + VATfixed; can be split 50:50
- Decision
- 10 business daysfrom when both sides’ documents are in
Settle future disputes before they start
Add our clause to your business leases and licences, or agree to use it when a dispute arises.
Questions
How much does it cost?
One fixed fee set by the amount in dispute: £650 + VAT up to £4,000, £900 up to £10,000, £1,200 up to £25,000 and £1,500 up to £150,000. For example, a £20,000 dispute costs £1,200 + VAT. The fee can be split 50:50.
Does the other business have to agree?
Yes. Both businesses must agree, either through a Dispute Neutral clause in your terms or once the dispute has arisen. We provide a ready-made invitation you can send, and free clauses you can add to your terms so future disputes come to us automatically.
Is the decision binding?
Yes. Both businesses sign an agreement to accept the decision before the case starts. It is final and binding except for fraud or manifest error. If it is not followed, it can be enforced; depending on the matter, by applying straight for summary judgment or serving a statutory demand.
How long does it take?
The decision is issued within 10 business days of the matter being ready, meaning both businesses have signed and uploaded their documents. There is no hearing.
Get a binding decision in 10 business days
Fixed fees from £650 + VAT. Both businesses agree, send their documents, and an independent lawyer decides.
Prevent the next one: add our free clause to your terms of business.