Break Clause
A clause in a lease (or other contract) which gives the landlord and/or the tenant (or one of the parƟes to the contract) a right, in specified circumstances, to terminate the lease (or contract) before its normal expiry date. It usually defines
the length of noƟce to be given and may (or may not) be subject to contractual or statutory financial provisions. Statutory provisions may affect contractual enforcement.
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Business Tenancy
A tenancy of premises used for a ‘business’ by an occupier who enjoys security of tenure under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
CCatchment Area
- The area of land from which water finds its way into a particular watercourse, lake or reservoir.
- By analogy, the area which contains those people who can be expected to obtain goods, services, employment or other benefits from a particular property. More especially related to retail premises, where the success of forecasting
depends on the accuracy of estimating the number of purchasers (catchment population) likely to be attracted from the different parts of the area and the average expenditure which might be expected from them.
Chain Store
One of a series of retail outlets under a single ownership, but now more commonly called a multiple retail outlet. Each store with such a group will probably sell the same range of goods and have the advantage of central buying.
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Clear Title
Unencumbered title to real property, against which there are no claims, mortgages,
voluntary liens, etc.
Completion
The final stage in the legal process of transferring ownership of property, eg where the documents in connection with the sale of land are signed, sealed and delivered
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Contract
A legally binding agreement. Two situations concern the disposal of land, namely:
- before September 1989 – a contact for the disposal of an interest in land is unenforceable in the absence of a sufficient memorandum in writing (see section 40 of the Law of Property Act 1925) or a sufficient act
of part performance by one or other of the parties: and,
- from September 1989 – the Law of Property(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989 provides that the contract must be made in writing and state all the terms agreed on by the parties.
Convenience Goods
Goods normally purchased without making any comparison with alternatives, other than
by price, including food and drink, tobacco, matches, newspapers, cleaning materials.
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Convenience Shop/Store
A retail outlet selling convenience goods. In the case of the larger outlets a limited range
of comparison goods may also be included.
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Convenience Shopping
The process of buying one or more articles, not necessarily confined to convenience
goods, either under one roof or from a number of units in close proximity to each
other, providing for consumers’ specific regular
shopping needs.
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Covenant
- Strictly, an obligation undertaken by a party and effected by deed, eg in a lease, obligations of the landlord or tenant.
- A subjective assessment of the character and quality of a tenant in terms of being able
and willing to comply with the terms and conditions of the lease. In valuations the
quality of the covenant will normally
influence the yield adopted. A tenant of sound standing is often referred to as a ‘good covenant’.
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