Streamlining for business growth: the Property Litigation Association view on 1954 Act reform

In the wake of the announced review of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 by the Law Commission, Jess Harrold is joined by the leadership of the Property Litigation Association to discuss the findings of the PLA's own survey of its 1,600 members on how the legislation could be improved.

Dellah Gilbert, PLA chair and partner at Maples Teesdale, Mark Reading, PLA vice chair and partner at Mishcon de Reya, and Paul Tonkin, chair of the PLA’s law reform committee and partner at Hogan Lovells International, address the broad findings of the survey that the 1954 Act remains broadly fit for purpose and strikes a fair balance for landlords and tenants, and dig into the changes their members would like to see to streamline the process.

In addition, they consider more controversial issues, including the role the courts should play in the commercial lease renewal process, and whether the "intention to develop" ground for opposing renewal should be extended to allow ESG works to be carried out.