Commercial Lease Forfeiture
Quick Commercial Property Repossession
Regain control of your commercial premises lawfully within 24 hours.
Our certificated Enforcement Agents can repossess your commercial property within 24 hours of instruction, ensuring swift, compliant, and peaceful re-entry.
Why Managing Agents choose Dukes:
Hammond Chartered Surveyors
Trusted. Accredited. Experienced.
As one of the UK’s most respected enforcement agencies, Dukes operates to the highest professional and compliance standards. We are professional members and actively participate in all relevant industry institutions and professional bodies. Memberships and accreditations include:
Commercial Lease Forfeiture Service
Landlords can forfeit a commercial lease if a tenant is in breach of covenant.
Commercial repossession is a recovery solution for landlords wishing to terminate a lease following a tenant’s default on rent or another breach of the lease terms.
Forfeiture of a commercial lease ends the contractual agreement and the landlord’s obligations under that lease. It’s typically the right solution when a tenant has become a problem tenant and lacks the funds or assets to cover arrears.
Dukes Bailiffs’ certificated Enforcement Agents handle every stage of the commercial lease forfeiture process with precision and full legal compliance, safeguarding your position and ensuring a smooth transfer of property control.
Commercial Forfeiture vs CRAR
Forfeiture is appropriate when repossession is the only viable solution, due to a breach of the lease or if the tenant is considered a "problem tenant." CRAR is the best recovery method when there are assets to recover against.
CRAR cannot be enacted once Forfeiture has already begun. When evicting your tenant, you are waiving the unpaid arrears in order to remove the tenant.
Instruct Dukes Today!
Regain Possession in 24 Hours
Once you complete our online Warrant of Forfeit, our nationwide team of certificated Enforcement Agents will act within 24 hours of your instruction.
Our Forfeiture Service
Step 1
Instruction & Verification
You complete the online form; we confirm lease validity*, arrears, and right of re-entry.
Every instruction is verified for legality before attendance, protecting landlords from wrongful forfeiture claims.
Step 2
Compliance Review
Our specialist team checks your documentation to ensure full compliance with Common Law and the lease terms.
Step 3
Peaceable Re-entry
An Enforcement Agent attends the premises (typically outside business hours) to gain access via a locksmith and repossess the property.
Step 4
Property Secured
Locks are changed, goods inventoried, and possession notices displayed.
Step 5
Torts Notice (Interference with Goods Act 1977)
A Torts (Interference with Goods) Notice ensures all goods left on the premises are itemised to determine ownership.
If required, our Enforcement Agents can list and photograph goods on-site, then issue a notice to the tenant’s home address giving 14 days to retrieve them.
If the tenant fails to remove goods within 14 days, the landlord may dispose of the goods as they see fit. Our Enforcement Agents can supervise the tenant's reentry or remove any remaining goods. This is an optional service designed to keep the process compliant and stress-free.
Eligibility for Lease Forfeiture
Before forfeiture can proceed, landlords must evidence the following:
Recognised landlord and tenant relationship
A written tenancy or lease agreement must exist, stating rent terms, amount due, and lease duration.
A breach within the lease terms
Usually rent arrears, but any violation specified in the lease (unauthorised subletting, alterations, or improper use) may qualify.
Attempting to repossess without legal grounds can expose landlords to claims for damages.
Right of re-entry clause
The lease must clearly state that the landlord has the right to re-enter if rent falls into arrears.
Commercial property only
The lease must not include residential use. Mixed-use properties require separate legal treatment.
Repossession Service You Can Trust
Dukes Bailiffs operate lawfully under the Common Law right of re-entry and the following legislation:
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Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
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Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013
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Interference with Goods Act 1977
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CIVEA Code of Practice
Forfeiture of a commercial lease concludes the contractual relationship and ends the landlord’s obligations under that lease.
All actions are undertaken by certificated Enforcement Agents, and recovery is approved by our in-house Enforcement experts before attendance, protecting landlords from wrongful forfeiture claims.
Costs of Commercial Lease Forfeiture
When a commercial lease is forfeited, certain costs apply to both the landlord and the tenant. These are outlined below for clarity.
Commercial Landlord
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Lease forfeiture: £450 (+ VAT)
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Locksmith: From £150*
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Torts Notice: £95 (+ VAT) per Enforcement Agent, per hour.
Tenant
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Supervised re-entry to collect goods (optional): £95 (+ VAT) per Enforcement Agent, per hour..
Full Breakdown of Costs
Service | Who Pays | Cost | Service included |
|---|---|---|---|
Supervised Re-entry to Collect Goods (Optional) | Tenant | £95 (+ VAT) per Enforcement Agent, per hour | Supervision while the tenant re-enters the property to remove their belongings. |
Implementing a Torts Notice | Commercial Landlord | £95 (+ VAT) per Enforcement Agent, per hour | Listing the tenant’s goods, serving the Torts Notice to the tenant’s home address, and allowing 14 days for the tenant to arrange collection. Removal of goods can be arranged after the notice period ends. |
Locksmith | Commercial Landlord | Approx. £150* | Changing or replacing locks. Cost varies depending on the number and type of locks. A quote can be provided on request. |
Forfeiture of the Lease | Commercial Landlord | £450 (+ VAT)
plus locksmith’s fee | Securing the property following forfeiture. |
* Locksmith costs vary depending on the number and type of locks. A quote can be provided on request and alternatively you can use your own locksmith (if preferred).
All costs will be explained in advance and are fully detailed in our Terms & Conditions.
Why Landlords Choose Dukes Bailiffs
Fast, Reliable
Service
Our nationwide Enforcement Agents will secure your property within 24 hours of your instruction.
Locksmith
Included
Keys will be hand-delivered or sent via special delivery once fees are paid.
*you may instruct your own locksmith if preferred
Trusted
Expertise
With over 30 years of experience, Dukes Bailiffs is trusted by landlords, managing agents, and solicitors nationwide for fast, professional reposession.