Commercial Property Forfeiture in Lincolnshire: Re-Entering a Fire-Damaged Takeaway and Resecuring the Site
Related Services
Team Members Involved
The Situation
A landlord in Lincolnshire needed to formally end a full repairing lease after the tenant vacated during an active tenancy because of a fire o the upper floors. The premises had previously traded as a takeaway on the ground floor, with two further storeys above.
The property had been left in a severely deteriorated state. A significant fire had gutted the top two floors, destroying windows and leaving the building exposed and unsecure. Some belongings from the takeaway business remained on the ground floor.
After searching for forfeiture of lease services in Lincolnshire, the landlord contacted Strikes Property Services Group.
Our Approach
Our enforcement agent attended the property on the morning of the operation, accompanied by the landlord and a locksmith. The landlord held the keys and opened the property to allow access.
Once inside, the locksmith changed the mortice lock securing the main entrance to resecure the site under the landlord’s control. The rear door was found already bolted top and bottom and required no further action.
Our team then carried out a full inspection of the property, photographing every area to document its condition. The building was found to be derelict throughout, with fire damage affecting all areas. Significant health and safety risks were identified, including a heavy infestation of flies linked to dead rats and pigeons on site. The basement was assessed as unsafe to enter and was instead photographed from the ground floor for the record.
Our commercial locksmith services ensured the property was properly resecured as part of the forfeiture of lease process, with no need to involve the police during the attendance.
Outcome
A formal notice was posted in the property’s door window confirming the change of possession, and the premises were left secure with the keys returned to the landlord. The case was managed by Roy Bennett (Enforcement Agent), ensuring the landlord regained control of a difficult and hazardous property quickly and safely.
