Shoosmiths brings together leading occupiers, landlords, investors, agents, policy and legal experts for a roundtable discussion on the Law Commission’s consultation on potential reforms to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. The discussion focused on the future of the 1954 Act, specifically security of tenure, and the key reforms needed to ensure its continued relevance in the fast-evolving commercial property market.
For decades, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 has been a cornerstone of the commercial property market in England and Wales, providing security of tenure for tenants while seeking to balance the rights of landlords to deal with their properties. However, with its last review over 20 years ago, the commercial property landscape has undergone significant changes driven by economic and societal shifts, including the rise of online services, the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic pressures. These changes have prompted a fresh debate over whether the 1954 Act remains fit for purpose.
In response, the Law Commission has launched a two-part consultation process, with the initial phase focusing on security of tenure.
With the rented segment of the commercial property market valued at an estimated £450 billion, the question remains: does the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 still meet the needs of modern landlords and tenants? To explore this, Shoosmiths hosted a roundtable discussion, bringing together leading occupiers, landlords, investors, agents, policy and legal experts to explore the 1954 Act’s relevance and examine how potential changes could better align with evolving market conditions while effectively balancing the interests of all stakeholders.
Taking part in the discussion:
- Ion Fletcher, Director of Policy (Finance) at British Property Federation
- James France, Chief Acquisition Officer at Frasers Group Plc
- Tom Ironside, Director - Business and Regulation at British Retail Consortium
- Ruth McFetridge, Senior Retail Leasing Director at Landsec
- Martin Rodd, Director at Mason Partners
- Ben Wall, Property Director at Poundland & Dealz
- Kate McCall, Partner and Co-Head of Real Estate Investment Group at Shoosmiths
- Chair: Kirsty Black, Partner and Co-Head of Corporate Occupier Group at Shoosmiths
Disclaimer
This information is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. Please contact us for specific advice on your circumstances. © Shoosmiths LLP 2025.