The issue
The Old Auctioneer faced a proposed rent increase. The commercial question was not simply whether to accept or reject it, but how to test the proposal against the available trading evidence and the alternatives open to the tenant.
The approach
The MRO process provided a framework for examining the position. Trading information and rental comparables informed the challenge and helped establish a supported negotiating stance. The work also considered the effect of annual RPI-linked increases rather than treating the starting rent as the only issue.
The outcome
The matter concluded with a lower agreed rent and removal of the annual RPI-linked increases, without the need for arbitration.
Why it matters
An agreement needs to work beyond the first year. Examining both the rent and the way future increases operate can reveal important commercial differences between proposals.
This case summary describes an individual matter and does not disclose confidential instructions. Previous results are not a guarantee of future outcomes.