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Help!

3 replies

pinkflower223 · 12/01/2026 20:22

Hi there can i have some advice please, I was due to open a vintage shop and had recieved my keys and tenancy agreement a month ago paid my deposit and rent and started furnishing the shop, I knew the space had no live electricity but I was told to just call up and make an account and it’ll be sorted, here we are a month later after finding out the meter had been removed by warrant and I was not remotely aware of this this has meant it’s not been fit for purpose for retail space and I would have to pay for an engineer to come out, on the contrary to this I was given a main shop key but never a key for my specific floor space which was in the second floor after multiple try’s of asking and being given excuses, I thought I had grounds to terminate tenancy so packed up my stuff and left, I emailed seeking my deposit and rent back plus losses for all the furnishings I have brought for the shop for misrepresentation and I will pursue it further, does this sound about right . Thanks

OP posts:
Mertyl · 13/01/2026 21:40

Hello, I don't really have experience of this but it does sound like you've got a good case. Could you perhaps check with Citizens Advice?

I wish you luck x

VanCleefArpels · 13/01/2026 21:45

Citizens Advice cannot give you legal advice, only advise on process. If you have gut legal cover with your business insurance use this to get proper advice. There’s not enough here to know anything: what was said in negotiation pre contract, what investigations you should reasonably have made re electricity meter , the terms of your lease etc etc. Also consider the amount at stake versus the likely cost of any litigation.

Kimura · 14/01/2026 04:19

pinkflower223 · 12/01/2026 20:22

Hi there can i have some advice please, I was due to open a vintage shop and had recieved my keys and tenancy agreement a month ago paid my deposit and rent and started furnishing the shop, I knew the space had no live electricity but I was told to just call up and make an account and it’ll be sorted, here we are a month later after finding out the meter had been removed by warrant and I was not remotely aware of this this has meant it’s not been fit for purpose for retail space and I would have to pay for an engineer to come out, on the contrary to this I was given a main shop key but never a key for my specific floor space which was in the second floor after multiple try’s of asking and being given excuses, I thought I had grounds to terminate tenancy so packed up my stuff and left, I emailed seeking my deposit and rent back plus losses for all the furnishings I have brought for the shop for misrepresentation and I will pursue it further, does this sound about right . Thanks

You shouldn't have left with taking legal advice or reaching an agreement with the landlord - in most cases you will be liable for the whole term of a business lease.

You should take legal advice immediately. The key question is: Was the property in such bad condition that the landlord could be considered to be in serious breach of his responsibilities.

For this to be the case, the property would have to be unsafe, unusable, or non-compliant with legal standards.

From the information you've given, it's unlikely the electricity issue would meet that bar. You signed a lease knowing there was no live supply; should have checked all this beforehand, along with confirming who would be responsible for getting the new meter fitted.

Why are you still without electricity after a month though? You mentioned not wanting to pay for an engineer to come out, but it comes down to who the contract holds responsible. If it's you, not wanting to pay for an engineer would not be grounds to break your contract. If your landlord is responsible, it might meet the bar for your property being unusable.

With the key, are you saying that your property is currently completely unlocked 27/7 and accessable to anyone with access to the main building (which is presumably open to the public during business hours)? That may invalidate your insurance, and meet the bar for unsafe/unusable.

You can sue for losses if you are successful in breaking your contract due to your landlord being in serious breach. You're unlikely to get anything for the furnishings though as you still have them, unless they are some kind of bespoke item that would be impossible to use elsewhere.

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