Commercial Property

Our team of real estate lawyers understands the vast complexities involved in acquisitions and disposals of both leasehold and freehold commercial property. We regularly guide our clients through the labyrinth of negotiating contracts, reviewing titles, reporting all issues relevant to the transaction, obtaining consent and advising on other title restrictions in order to ensure that the transactions run as smoothly as possible. We are also on hand to advise on specific issues which may affect individual transactions such as Stamp Duty Land Tax and Capital Allowances.

Property management often raises a number of issues. Our team of experts are adept to advising landlords on any issues that may arise including advising on consents for assignment and underletting, advising on consents to charge and make alterations which can often include stringent documentation, and liaising with appointed management agents.

Authorised guarantee agreements are complex and confusing documents. We advise our clients on understanding the nature of these agreements, the implications of signing such an agreement, and issues that may arise (including defaults) on having signed the agreement. We work very closely with each client to ensure that all obligations in the agreements are complied with under the guarantee.

The real estate market is picking up and we are witnessing an increase in demand for advice in relation to both commercial and residential development. We work with a number of developers, both in the residential and commercial sphere, advising them on all legal aspects of their developments. We are on hand to aid on the setting up of a management company; dealing with all funder requirements if necessary; drafting of all sale, development and funding documentation; advising on all construction related issues including contracts and warranty agreements; and advising on all planning and tax related issues relating to the development.

Healthy and safety responsibilities in relation to commercial properties can often be overlooked due to the volume of non-professional landlords leasing properties. Aspects such as general maintenance, risk assessments, asbestos, and gas and electrical safety all need to be taken into consideration. We can work with you to ensure that you are up to speed with guidance set out by the relevant government bodies and ensure that you manage your property efficiently.

Certain transactions will require a variation of certain documentation, including leases, or the establishment of new rights of way over existing developments or building. We are able to assist in the preparation of all documentation relating to deeds of variation, restrictions and easements; the drafting of all applications to the Land Registry; and advising on any tax related implications including Stamp Duty Land Tax.

Healthy and safety responsibilities in relation to commercial properties can often be overlooked due to the volume of non-professional landlords leasing properties. Aspects such as general maintenance, risk assessments, asbestos, and gas and electrical safety all need to be taken into consideration. We can work with you to ensure that you are up to speed with guidance set out by the relevant government bodies and ensure that you manage your property efficiently.

Our commercially astute lawyers understand that all businesses, including those in real estate, can often achieve more by working together. However, we also understand that these joint enterprises need very careful planning to ensure that both parties are satisfied with the outcome. We have considerable experience in forming numerous types of JVs including new corporate vehicles, partnerships and contract binding ventures. We have considerable expertise in advising all forms of JVs from setting them up and running them to selling them or winding them down.

The relationship between a landlord and a tenant in a commercial or residential setting can be fraught with problems. We understand the importance that correctly drafted leases can have on both parties when a dispute arises. We work in tandem with our clients to ensure that all leases and clauses work for them to negate future problems. Our clients are both landlords and tenants from institutional companies and pension funds to retail tenants and small individual businesses. We advise on all types of leases including mineral leases and commercial leases and tailor each to suit the requirements of the individual client.

Our well experienced lawyers understand that sometimes a potential buyer requires a period of time to decide whether a property is for them and we advise on the implication of options to purchase land and buildings. We also prepare all necessary documentation and protect these interest at the Land Registry. Our expertise extend to the drafting of pre-emption agreements to guarantee a right of first refusal in buying the likes of a freehold or adjoining land, and we advise on the best option for the individual.

Our real estate team has significant expertise in advising both buyers and sellers in cases where a landowner may want to secure future payments if the land becomes more valuable due to its sale for a development. These can be complicated agreements to negotiate and draft but our team are well experienced in doing so as well as dealing with all land registry requirements.

Institutional and private lenders often require specialist advice in relation to property lending work. We work with clients to draft all documentation relating to debentures, facility agreements and legal charges, as well as more complex lending contracts. We are also on hand to review all titles and leases and take in to account the specific emphasis on the requirements demanded by the lender which are often different from the buyer’s interests. We have vast experience in giving clients expert advice in this area including where lending is involved for both built and established properties or for land yet to be developed on.

We also advise equity investors, private individuals, family offices and corporate entities on joint ventures, through private limited companies, partnerships and offshore vehicles. Our specialist teams advising on fund formation, corporate vehicles and tax, are able to deliver a comprehensive service working with our clients accounting and professional advisers.

Regeneration project work requires very specific advice and we have a team dedicated to working specifically with large regeneration projects. Our expertise span from not only property acquisition but also to the potential planning of issues that may arise, for example compulsive purchase, through to construction issues relating to building and civil engineering.

Our team regularly advises clients, both in the residential and commercial sectors, on rent deposits. We guide our clients through the potential implications that may arise dependant on the type of rent deposit and we negotiate all related documentation.

We have a dedicated team of tax experts that works in tandem with our real estate lawyers. This dedicated team is always on hand to advise on all tax issues in related to a transaction whenever they arise including Stamp Duty Land Tax and VAT.