Avoid These 5 Costly Dental Lease Clauses

In this episode of Filling The Gap, Dr Shabnam Zai is joined by Kate Ford, Senior Associate Solicitor at Rudlings Solicitors, who specialises in commercial property and employment law and works predominantly with dentists. Kate walks through what a solicitor actually does when you set up or buy a practice, from the lease terms that quietly cost thousands, to whether you should buy the freehold, to how you structure the business itself. Whether you are planning a squat practice or buying an established one, this episode demystifies the legal side of practice ownership and gives you the language to negotiate with confidence from the very first meeting. Key Takeaways: Decoding Your Lease: Kate unpacks the terms that catch new practice owners out, including how security of tenure, break clauses and rent reviews protect you. Freehold or Leasehold: Weigh up buying the property against renting it, and learn what to check before you commit, from building surveys and schedules of condition to the restrictive covenants that can limit your opening hours and signage. Structuring and Protecting Your Business: Understand the pros and cons of operating as a sole trader, limited company or partnership. Kate explains why bespoke contracts, self-employed status and a written partnership agreement matter far more than templates when things go wrong. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 05:29 Security of Tenure 09:02 Break Clause 10:04 Rent Reviews 18:26 Rent Free Period 23:16 Buying The Freehold 31:28 Sole Trader or Limited Company 43:58 Self-Employed Status 55:17 Partnership Agreements Follow Kate Ford: Kate Ford is a Senior Associate Solicitor at Rudlings Solicitors, specialising in commercial law, commercial property, and corporate business transfers. She regularly advises healthcare professionals and dental business owners on acquisitions, sales, leases, and key operational contracts. Kate Ford LinkedIn |   / kate-ford-8b80a1130   Kate Ford Email | kate.ford@rudlingsllp.co.uk Rudlings Solicitors | https://www.rudlingsllp.co.uk/thetfor... Follow Dr Shabnam Zai: Instagram |   / drshabnamzai   Facebook |   / drshabnamzai   Website | https://shabnamzai.com/ Dr Shabnam offers an online course for Dentists looking to setup a Squat Dental Practice and a free discovery call to see if she can help you on your practice setup journey. If you're interested you can book a call with her at https://shabnamzai.com/. Subscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to Filling The Gap on your favourite podcast platform and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create more valuable content for dentists like you aspiring to take the leap into practice ownership.