Interpret the phrase “within 3 months of the said expiry”
<p>The context associated with my question associated with interpreting the phrase “within 3 months of the said expiry” is as follows: The Lease reads "The Landlord hereby grants to the Tenant the option to purchase the rented premises upon expiry of the term, notice of exercising the said option to be given to the Landlord in writing within 3 months of the said expiry".</p>

<p>It was assumed by the Landlord that it would mean that notice be given by the Tenant 3 months prior to expiry of the lease rather than 3 months after expiry. What are you thoughts?</p>

<p>ps. This is relating to a commercial lease in the UK (region is NI)</p>

<p>If the purchase is to occur " upon expiry of the term" it would seem that any meaningful notice would need to be <strong>before</strong> that date, and so the three-month notice period would be ending at the expiry of the lease. The position taken by the Landlord seems to be reasonable, although other provisions in the lease text might clarify or modify this. Without the full text, that is the best one can do, I think. </p>

<p>I think the reading  - that "upon expiry of term" means generally around the expiration and "within 3 months" pins down that your option to buy at the expiration only lasts until three months after the expiration </p>

<p>If, instead, it meant that the purchase happens exactly at the expiration of the term the landlord would need reasonable notice before that date and instead of "within 3 months", "prior to 3 months" would make more sense. Under the opposite reading, you could give notice the day before the expiration and expect the purchase one day later.</p>

united-kingdom