Partner Ed Cracknell has been quoted in an article by The Times that explores whether there are any provisions allowing The Crown to bring the lease of Prince Andrew’s residence at Royal Lodge to an early end.
The article notes that Andrew holds a long lease and is allowed to live in the property rent-free for 75 years having paid a premium of £1 million upfront and having carried out works costing £7.5 million.
Ed explained that the lease contains no provisions enabling the Crown Estate to bring the lease to an early end and is quoted as saying:
It would require quite serious unresolved breaches of the lease for the court to be persuaded to allow the lease to be brought to an end.
The article concludes that no significant breaches have become public, but that recent photos showed the property to be in good condition and occasional meetings held by Andrew at Royal Lodge are unlikely to constitute a breach of of the lease’s stipulation that no political meetings be held there.
The article is available to view at The Times by subscription only.
About Ed
Ed Cracknell is a partner in the property litigation team specialising in all aspects of property dispute resolution. His areas of expertise include landlord and tenant disputes, business lease renewals and terminations, possession claims and development disputes.