Site Acquisition, Conveyancing and Commercial Finance
Serving the commercial property area including retail, office, leisure, industrial and hospitality sector, our commercial property division operates with a specialist team of solicitors who are able to act on your behalf. We are able to provide expertise to organisations of all sizes from the small and medium size enterprise through to global, corporate entities.
We offer support for those organisations who seek to acquire, sell, lease or develop properties of all types and are also able to provide security services for both private and commercial lenders.
Acting with both speed and precision our commercial property solicitors deliver fast and efficient responses whenever required and combine a high level of service with unparalleled expertise within this sector. Our knowledge and experience will help guide you through the complete conveyanving process irrespective of the purchase specifics or type of acquisition:
- Freehold commercial property acquisition and funding.
- Introduction of commercial lenders where appropriate.
- Negotiation of commercial leases including heads of terms.
- Acquisition of investment property.
- Site acquisition.
- Plot sales on completed developments for house builders.
- Secured lending (acting for the Lender).
- Development funding.
It is common practice for commercial property clients to seek property acquisition on a joint venture basis with associates and investors. These types of arrangements can be beset with complexity and risk and all parties will want to ensure that the most appropriate advice is sought. Furthermore, the formation of the appropriate contractual agreements is not only prudent but a legal obligation. We can act on your behalf in relation to:
- Creation of joint venture agreements.
- Investment agreements.
- Forward sale agreements.
- New company formation.
- Partnership agreements.
- Mezzanine finance and equity finance.
- Introduction of joint venture partners, in specific circumstances.
We work actively with our clients in the acquisition and assembly of sites through option or conditional contract or otherwise in parallel with clients’ other professional advisers, particularly planning consultants and accountants.
- Option Agreements
- Overage Agreements
- Construction Contracts
Developed over a number of years, we have in place relationships with a wide range of lenders and financiers which enable us to assist clients in a series of commercial finance options. This introduction service is offered free of charge to the end user client.
We are recognised by all mainstream lenders and where lenders appoint their own panel of solicitors, we work closely with those firms at all stages of the process to ensure rapid conclusion of security documentation and draw-down to coincide with clients’ deadlines.
Before you bid for a houses with an annex you need to carefully consider the amount of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) you will have to pay; it is complicated.
The Government has published an open consultation titled “Strengthening Leaseholder Protections over Charges and Services,” which runs until 26 September 2025. This consultation accompanies the implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and is part of the wider legislative programme designed to rebalance the leasehold system in favour of flat owners and occupiers.
The consultation targets the next phase of reforms: improving transparency around service charges, regulating managing agents, and reforming major works and reserve funds.
While all of these reforms seem to favour leaseholders, ultimately life may become more expensive, and some flats may be more difficult to sell as a result.
This article covers some case law and legislative developments over the last 12 months relating to enfranchisement
