The Commercial Landlord Accreditation Scheme (CLAS)

 

The Commercial Landlord Accreditation Scheme (CLAS) seeks to promote the adoption of good practice in the commercial property industry. The scheme is run by the British Property Federation, but is open to any commercial landlord that owns property in the UK.

 

Many other industries already have self-regulatory schemes. CLAS has been developed, taking advantage of experience gained by other schemes. It is meant to be relatively light-touch and, first and foremost, to promote good relations and dispute resolution between landlords and their occupiers. However, to protect the integrity of the scheme and its members, there are powers to apply sanctions where the scheme rules are breached.

 

Why join?

 

CLAS has been developed to give credit to those landlords who sign up to abide by the Leasing Business Premises: Landlord Code 2007 and some other simple rules. Those landlords who sign up will be able to display the scheme Standard Mark on their letterhead and marketing materials.

 

Leases are becoming shorter and there is increasing competition for occupiers, particularly in secondary and tertiary markets. The display of the scheme Standard Mark will give landlords, particularly smaller landlords, some marketing advantage.

 

What are the rules of the scheme?

 

We have kept these as simple as possible. Scheme landlords must:

 

  1. Inform prospective occupiers at the start of negotiations that they are scheme members, using the scheme postcard or making suitable alternative arrangements
  2. Provide prospective small business tenants with some basic information that explains the risks and pitfalls when taking a commercial lease, specifically the Leasing Business Premises: Landlord Code 2007, Heads of Terms Checklist and Occupier Guide
  3. Abide by the Leasing Business Premises: Landlord Code 2007
  4. Communicate to the occupier if there are any Code requirements that the landlord is unable to fulfil, and explain to the occupier why this is the case
  5. Supply prospective occupiers with their own written complaints procedure and a named contact who handles complaints. This must offer to deal with complaints within 28 days of receipt

 

 

The full terms and conditions of the scheme can be found in the scheme manual. Landlords are strongly advised to read this before making an application.

 

How do I apply?

 

Simply complete the scheme application form. This then needs to be posted or faxed to the scheme administrator:

 

CLAS Scheme Operator

1 Warwick Row

7th Floor

London

SW1E 5ER

 

Fax: 020 7834 3442

 

What if I am not a landlord?

 

At this point in its development, the scheme is only open to landlords. There are often other important parties in lease negotiations, agents and lawyers for example, acting on behalf of landlords and occupiers. Each of these professions has an important role in disseminating the Leasing Business Premises: Landlord Code 2007, but we did not feel it was within the scope of this scheme to accredit such parties.