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A rent review notice: who usually handles it, and what to ask.

If you have a rent review notice or a proposal from the landlord's surveyor, here is who people in your position usually speak to, what a first step can cost, and what to have ready before you call.

1. Who people usually speak to

  • Solicitorfor what the lease allows, and any notices
  • Chartered surveyorfor what the new rent should be

People in your position usually speak to a solicitor and a chartered surveyor. Some firms have both under one roof, and one call can often tell you who should lead.

2. What a first step can cost

Solicitor

Selected court guideline rates for a senior solicitor's hour, inc. VAT: not a market range or a quote. Firms set their own prices, and some offer a short free first call. Surveyors usually quote for the job, so ask them for a quote.

Source: Solicitors' guideline hourly rates, Grade A, National 1 and London 2 (HM Courts & Tribunals Service, GOV.UK) · checked 20 October 2026

Fees vary by firm and by job. These are published examples with sources, not quotes for your matter.

3. Time limits

Some leases make review dates or counter-notices time-critical. If yours says time is of the essence, speak to a solicitor.

We don't calculate or watch deadlines. If a date in your document is close, speak to a solicitor now; a pack can still help you brief them.

4. Free or cheaper routes

  • If the rateable value is under £10,000 (£15,000 in London), the RICS Small Business Scheme has an independent surveyor decide the rent for a capped fee: at most £510 inc. VAT for each side, plus reasonable expenses.

    Source: Small Business Scheme for rent reviews - RICS Dispute Resolution Service · checked 20 October 2026

  • Some firms offer a short free first call. Check your home or business insurance for legal expenses cover.

5. What a CaseReader pack gives you before that call

You arrive with

  • The review clause and schedule marked on the page
  • Review dates, assumptions and disregards listed
  • Questions written for the surveyor and the solicitor

What it can't do

  • Say what the rent should be: that needs a surveyor's evidence of comparable rents
  • Give advice on your situation: it prepares you for that conversation

Every point cites its clause and page, and a person checks the pack before it reaches you.

6. An example of what we mark

Fictional example

The rent review clause in the lease, which the notice relies on

4.2The yearly rent shall be reviewed on each Review Date on an upwards-only basis in accordance with Schedule 3.

NoteClause 4.2 says “on an upwards-only basis”. Ask your adviser what that means for you.

Not from a real document. A real pack marks your own pages, with a note against each point.

Walk into that call prepared.

Send us a rent review notice or a proposal from the landlord's surveyor. We mark what matters on the page and write out your questions.

See my price for this

£49 up to 10 pages, then £3 a pageFor anyone with a document to understandNot advice

General information about who usually handles this kind of document, not advice on your situation.