Leasehold premises

[colinrob]

Stupidly I set up a business in leasehold premises my partners and I have spent around £50,000 on freezers etc, the owner only gave us a lease for one month rolling, we have already had one increase in rent and are about to get another and this is in 18 months of trading, is there anything we can legally do or do we just need to cut our losses and find other premises
As an aside the electric is on a card system where they are making extra money is that legal
The owner is my brother in law and one of my partners father so I did not foresee this happening any advice gratefully received

[Wacky Racer]

Try talking to them.

Can you get a better deal anywhere else?

A one month rolling contract at least gives you the option to move at short notice.

Freezers can be moved I would imagine.

[ecksjay]

All depends how the lease is worded. They're all different. If You're on a 30 day rolling lease then whats stopping you from just moving elsewhere? Most commercial leases will habe rent uplifts, rent reviews etc built in, so is thats what its increasing by? If so then thats what you would have signed up to on the original lease, so this shouldn't come as a surprise. If they're increasing rent outside of the lease agreement then yes, there could be a legal argument. All depends on how the lease is drafted however.
I work for a building surveying firm so would be happy to cast my eyes over your lease of this would be any use.