ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.
Exclusive

TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES HELPSHEET

What is the lease term?

Helpsheets and support

Published: 10 Jul 2018 Updated: 16 Dec 2020 Update History

Exclusive content
Access to our exclusive resources is for specific groups of students, users, subscribers and members.

Technical helpsheet to help members understand the definition of lease term under UK GAAP and provides an example of how to apply the definition.

Introduction

This helpsheet has been issued by ICAEW’s Technical Advisory Service to help ICAEW members to understand the definition of lease term under UK GAAP and provides an example of how to apply the definition.

Members may also wish to refer to the following related helpsheets:

Definition

Lease term is defined in the glossary of FRS 102 as ‘the non-cancellable period for which the lessee has contracted to lease the asset together with any further terms for which the lessee has the option to continue to lease the asset, with or without further payment, when at the inception of the lease it is reasonably certain that the lessee will exercise the option’.

The definition of lease term is the same under FRS 105 and therefore the application is the same under both FRS 102 and FRS 105.

Considerations

Significant judgement is often required when assessing the lease term where the lease contains break clauses or options to extend the lease agreement. At the inception of the lease, consideration should be given to all relevant factors including, but not limited to:

  • Contractual rental payments for any optional periods (e.g. periods covered by an option to extend or before which a break clause could be exercised) compared with market rates;
  • The nature and extent of any planned leasehold improvements;
  • Costs relating to the termination of the lease (e.g. termination penalties, negotiation costs and relocation costs); and
  • The importance of the leased asset to the operations of the entity.

An entity has taken out a 10 year lease on a property and has the option to exercise a break clause after 7 years.

The non-cancellable period for which the lessee has contracted to lease the asset would therefore be 7 years. The lessee has the option to continue to lease the property for a further 3 years (by not exercising the break clause).

The entity will need to assess whether, at the inception of the lease, it is reasonably certain that it will continue to lease the asset for the further 3 year period.

  • If it was reasonably certain to do so, then the lease term would be 10 years (the 7 year non-cancellable period the lessee has contracted to lease the property for plus the additional 3 years it has the option to continue to lease the property for if it does not exercise the break clause).
  • If it was not reasonably certain to do so, then the lease term would be 7 years (just the non-cancellable period the lessee has contracted to lease the property for).

If in doubt seek advice

ICAEW members, affiliates, ICAEW students and staff in eligible firms with member firm access can discuss their specific situation with the Technical Advisory Service on +44 (0)1908 248 250 or via webchat.

Terms and conditions

© ICAEW 2024  All rights reserved.

ICAEW cannot accept responsibility for any person acting or refraining to act as a result of any material contained in this helpsheet. This helpsheet is designed to alert members to an important issue of general application. It is not intended to be a definitive statement covering all aspects but is a brief comment on a specific point.

ICAEW members have permission to use and reproduce this helpsheet on the following conditions:

  • This permission is strictly limited to ICAEW members only who are using the helpsheet for guidance only.
  • The helpsheet is to be reproduced for personal, non-commercial use only and is not for re-distribution.

For further details members are invited to telephone the Technical Advisory Service T +44 (0)1908 248250. The Technical Advisory Service comprises the technical enquiries, ethics advice, anti-money laundering and fraud helplines. For further details visit icaew.com/tas.

Download this helpsheet

PDF (111kb)

Access a PDF version of this helpsheet to print or save.

Download
Changelog Anchor
  • Update History
    10 Jul 2018 (12: 00 AM BST)
    First published.
    16 Dec 2020 (11: 00 AM GMT)
    Changelog created, helpsheet converted to new template
    16 Dec 2020 (11: 01 AM GMT)
    Changes to phrasing and addition of FRS 105 reference and considerations paragraph.
Open AddCPD icon

Add Verified CPD Activity

Introducing AddCPD, a new way to record your CPD activities!

Log in to start using the AddCPD tool. Available only to ICAEW members.

Add this page to your CPD activity

Step 1 of 3
Download recorded
Download not recorded

Please download the related document if you wish to add this activity to your record

What time are you claiming for this activity?
Mandatory fields

Add this page to your CPD activity

Step 2 of 3
Mandatory field

Add activity to my record

Step 3 of 3
Mandatory field

Activity added

An error has occurred
Please try again

If the problem persists please contact our helpline on +44 (0)1908 248 250