Novating a Lease Car

If your lease is with ALD you can novate the agreement provided that it is from one limited company to another. They can't allow a novation from a regulated customer to a non-regulated one, for example from a sole trader to a limited company.

ALD have advised that they don't allow personal or director guarantees for business leases so the company taking over the lease will need to be approved for credit on their own merit.

Alphabet have advised that they can offer novation for contracts where both businesses are either an LTD, LLP or a large partnership, which is classed as one with 4 or more partners. The process is quite detailed so allow plenty of time.

In order to request a novation with Alphabet they have advised there are a few forms that need to be completed and returned within 5 working days. If you decide you need to novate your lease please either get in touch with us or Alphabet directly on contract.support@alphabet.co.uk to request the required forms.

In order to proceed with a novation, Alphabet also require a full set of accounts for the business taking over the lease, or if it is a new business, a copy of the opening balance sheet. 

Alphabet has advised that if you want to novate a contract it must have at least 6 months left of the agreement and all payments must be up to date.

There will be a fee of £250 + VAT to novate a vehicle. If you're wanting to novate multiple vehicles then you will pay £250 + VAT for the first one, and £25 + VAT for each of the additional ones. 

The Old Hirer requests the Novation, receives the form and completes it before forwarding it for the New Hirer to sign. The Old Hirer is responsible for all rental payments until the novation process is completed. 

The New Hirer will be credit checked, which, if successful, will result in Alphabet issuing a Deed of Novation (which can take 10 days) for both parties' signatures.

Alphabet also require a completed direct debit mandate providing the new company details and a copy of the new insurance cover.

The New Hirer will be responsible for and must sign to show acknowledgement of the novation charges (please be aware that a novation will not take place without a signature).The Old Hirer & New Hirer must agree mileage, condition / damage on the vehicle(s). The New Hirer is responsible for mileage / damage / Early Termination for vehicle(s) transferred to it, when those vehicle schedules are terminated. 

Arval can offer novation of a lease from one business to another but they look at each request on a case by case basis and the company taking over the lease will be subject to credit checks.

In order to arrange a novation, Arval require both customers’ names, phone numbers, email addresses and full postal addresses. You can provide this information either by calling them on 03452665228 or emailing on brokercustomerservices1@arval.co.uk.

Arval has advised that there is a charge of £100 + VAT per vehicle.

LeasePlan can offer a novation from one limited company to another, which includes LTDs, LLPs and PLCs, provided that both businesses are solvent. If you are a sole trader and the contract is an unregulated one then you can also novate the contract to a limited company. The contract parameters, including lease length and mileage allowance as well as the contract type, will remain the same.

Please note that the company taking over the lease will need to have credit approved with LeasePlan before the novation is requested. The process can take up to 2 months to be completed depending on how quickly documents are signed.

LeasePlan can only process a novation if the contract has 12 months or more left on it and usually only once the lease is older than 6 months. If a novation is needed and less than 6 months have passed since the start of the contract then extra information will be requested to support the request.

If the contract is in arrears then the novation request will be denied. Additionally, they advise that the existing customer will need to have an active direct debit payment set up and there cannot be a deferred payment due at the end of the contract due to a payment break. In order to process the request, LeasePlan ask that you provide us with the below information, so that we can make the request for you:

• Registration of the vehicle to be novated.
• Current customer company name, address and Companies House number.
• New proposed company name, address and Companies House number.
• The name and number for a chosen contract at the new company.

Please note that the address for both businesses will need to match the one on Companies House. If the registered address is not the trading address please let us know. Once the novation is approved, LeasePlan will issue the finance deeds, direct debit mandate and a covering letter which explains what needs to be done for you. Both companies will need to sign 3 copies of the deed and the direct debit mandate and in some cases a corporate or director’s guarantee might also be required.

Please be aware that these documents will have an expiry date on them and need to be completed and returned to LeasePlan before this date. LeasePlan will let us know once the novation is countersigned by them and the date it will take effect from.

Leasys can offer novation from one limited company to another.

In order to novate the contract you will need to get in touch with them directly to begin the process. It will be the Contracts Management Department that you need to speak to who are available on 03445614611 option 1 then option 4.

If your lease is with Lex and you would like to novate the agreement they advise that they can only do so for and to limited companies or large partnerships provided there are 4 or more equity partners and the business has been trading for a minimum of 2 years.

In order to process a transfer of lease they require the below information:

• A signed letter, on company headed paper, for each company authorising the transfer.
• The new business’ full bank account details.
• The latest copy of the new business’ accounts.
• For the director / partner of the new company they will need:
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Full address (If less than 3 years also provide previous address details.  If less than six months at current address also provide proof of current address)
  • Their marital status
  • Their homeowner status
  • The driving licence of the individual directors noted on the transfer form which must show their current address

You can get in touch with Lex directly via email or on 03448796633.

They require the full information requested by return email as delays could result if the required information is missing. Paperwork is valid for 4 weeks and the process can take up to 30 days from receipt of fully completed paperwork.

They state the current lessee will be liable for any invoices generated under the lease agreement until completion date of the transfer request.  

Once the transfer has been processed and underwritten, you will receive a telephone call or return email. A soft credit search will be carried out on the individuals recorded as the directors on the returned transfer form; this will however have no impact on their credit history.

All details will need to be emailed to Lex on Customer.Services@lexautolease.co.uk and the request will not be processed until all the details are received by Lex. 

Mobilize has advised that they can offer novations in some circumstances. In order to find out if you're eligible then you would need to contact their Novations Team on novationsenquiries@mobilize-fs.com.

Novuna will allow business customers to novate a contract from one limited company to another.

They will also consider a transfer of a personal lease from an individual to a limited company, but this is looked at on a case by case basis.

In order to process any novation or transfer request, Novuna require you to complete a transfer request form which we can request on your behalf or you can ask them for directly.

This form will require details of the company currently leasing the vehicle, the registration number, the details of the company looking to take over the lease and the reason for transfer.

Once the form has been completed, Novuna will then run their application process, which includes a credit check, on the company looking to take on the lease and, if approved, the paperwork will then be issued for you to sign.

Santander has advised that they do not offer novations to their business customers. 

If there is a reason that your business can no longer commit to the lease then we advise you contact their customer services team in order to discuss ending the contract early. Please note there may be an early termination fee for this. 

Their contact number is 0330 134 8751.

If your lease is through Wessex Fleet, then you may be able to novate the contract provided it is from one business to another.

Wessex Fleet look at each novation on an individual basis and if you need to novate your lease agreement you will need to contact them directly on 01722322888 (option 3).