Zoning in practice
Standard zone depth is usually 6.1 metres (20 feet) on the high street, though schemes and some locations adopt different conventions. Return frontage, corner positions, irregular shapes, internal steps and columns all require judgement rather than arithmetic — which is where most disputed valuations diverge.
Devaluing the landlord's comparables
A headline rent agreed with twelve months' rent free, a £150,000 contribution and a tenant break at year five is not the same rent as a clean deal at the same figure. Every comparable must be devalued to an effective rent on consistent assumptions before it can be compared at all.
The trading reality
Vacancy rates, scheme footfall, the loss of an anchor, rental auction activity and the pipeline of competing space all bear on open market rent. Evidence of what the pitch can actually sustain is persuasive with arbitrators and experts alike, and I use it routinely.
Common questions
Ask a question
Live assistant — retail rent review
Ask anything about this topic and get an immediate answer drawn from this page. General guidance only — specific advice depends on your lease.
Talk it through
Initial advice is free — tenant side only.
Chris McGarrigle MRICS, chartered since 1989, acting for occupiers across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
chris@mcgarrigle.comRelated guides
- Commercial Rent Review SurveyorChartered surveyor acting for tenants at commercial rent review — evidence, negotiation, arbitration and expert determination across the UK and Ireland.
- Retail Lease RenewalRetail lease renewal advice for shop, leisure and F&B tenants: rent, term, break rights, service charge and portfolio strategy on the high street.
- Rent Review Surveyor for TenantsA rent review surveyor acting for tenants only — no landlord instructions, no conflicts. Evidence-led negotiation across retail, leisure and F&B.