Relief From Forfeiture

Forfeiture of a lease is a useful right for a landlord; however, a landlord should exercise caution and seek legal advice as the tenant can apply for relief from forfeiture.

A lease will include tenants' covenants, amongst others, to pay the sums due under the lease (such as rent, service charge and insurance), to keep the property to a certain level of repair and condition, and not to assign or sub-let the property without the landlord's consent.

If the tenant breaches the covenants, the landlord may wish to re-enter the property and end the lease.

The lease may also allow the landlord to re-enter the property in other circumstances, such as when the tenant suffers an event of insolvency.