Commercial Property Solicitors

+ Commercial Leases and Occupational Licenses

Our commercial lease solicitors can help with drafting, reviewing and negotiating leases that reflect your goals and minimise future risk. Whether you're granting or taking a lease, we provide clear advice on everything from break clauses and repairing obligations to contracting out of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. We also deal with associated documents such as Licences to Assign, Licences for Works, and Schedules of Condition, making sure your position is fully protected from the outset.

+ Buying & Selling Commercial Property

Our commercial conveyancing solicitors guide clients through every stage of commercial property transactions. We handle all legal and regulatory aspects of buying or selling, from title checks and contract negotiation to completion. With expert due diligence and clear advice throughout, we’ll make sure the process runs smoothly and delivers the right outcome for your business.

+ Land & Commercial Property Development

We advise landowners, developers and investors on preparing and structuring land for commercial development. Whether you’re developing a single unit or a larger site, we’ll assist with site assembly, infrastructure agreements and eventual disposals, ensuring the process is legally sound and commercially strategic.

+ Overage

We provide expert advice on overage agreements, ensuring you maximise your financial returns from property developments. We guide you through drafting and negotiating overage provisions, protecting your interests and guaranteeing you benefit from future increases in property value. Our Commercial Property Solicitors ensures that your agreements are clear and enforceable, giving you peace of mind from start to finish.

+ Commercial Property Investment

Our Commercial Property Solicitors offer strategic advice for all aspects of commercial property investment, helping you make informed decisions that align with your business goals. Whether acquiring new properties or managing existing assets, we provide comprehensive due diligence, financial structuring and risk assessment services. We aim to help you maximise returns and minimise risks in your property portfolio.

+ Commercial Property Disputes

When things don’t go to plan, our commercial property dispute solicitors are here to help. We act for both landlords and tenants in disputes over leases, boundaries, access, dilapidations, and more. Wherever possible, we’ll seek a resolution through negotiation or mediation — but where court action is necessary, we’ll provide strong, strategic representation to protect your position.

+ What Is the Legal Process of Buying a Commercial Property?

Buying a commercial property involves a series of legal and financial steps that must be carefully managed to protect your investment and avoid costly surprises. The process usually starts with the negotiation of Heads of Terms, a non-binding summary of the main points agreed between buyer and seller. Once these are settled, your solicitor will:

• Carry out legal due diligence – including reviewing the title, raising enquiries with the seller’s solicitor, and arranging property searches to uncover any planning, environmental or legal issues.
• Review and negotiate the contract – ensuring the terms accurately reflect your intentions and include appropriate protections.
• Report to you in plain language – explaining all key findings and your legal obligations clearly.
• Exchange contracts – at which point the transaction becomes legally binding.
• Complete the purchase – by transferring funds and registering your ownership with HM Land Registry.

Depending on the property and your circumstances, there may also be Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) to pay and VAT considerations.

Our Commercial Property Solicitors will guide you through every stage, keeping the transaction moving forward and safeguarding your commercial interests from start to finish.

+ What’s the Difference Between Freehold and Leasehold in Commercial Property?

In commercial property, a freehold means you own both the land and the building outright, with full control over how it’s used, subject to planning laws. A leasehold means you are leasing the property from the freeholder for a fixed term — often 5, 10 or 25 years — under the terms set out in a commercial lease.

Leasehold commercial properties may come with obligations such as rent, service charges, repair responsibilities, and restrictions on use or alterations. It’s essential to understand exactly what rights and liabilities come with the lease.

Our Commercial Property Solicitors will review the title, advise you on the legal and financial implications, and make sure you’re fully informed before proceeding.

+ Can I Refinance My Commercial Property to Raise Capital?

Yes, refinancing a commercial property is a common way to release equity, improve cash flow, or restructure existing borrowing.

Whether you're seeking better interest rates, consolidating debts or raising capital to invest elsewhere, lenders will typically require a current property valuation, updated title checks, and a full legal review before releasing funds. This often includes reviewing lease agreements (if the property is tenanted), confirming planning status, and ensuring the lender’s security over the property is properly registered.

Our Commercial Property Solicitors work closely with banks, building societies and private lenders to make sure the refinancing process runs smoothly. We’ll handle the legal due diligence, liaise with your lender, and ensure all documentation is completed correctly and on time, protecting your position while helping you access funds quickly and efficiently.

Refinancing can be a powerful tool when handled correctly. We’ll guide you through the process with clear advice and minimal disruption to your day-to-day operations.

+ What Are the Tax Implications of Buying a Commercial Property?

Buying commercial property can involve several tax considerations and it’s important to understand these from the outset to avoid unexpected costs later.

Most commercial property purchases are subject to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). The amount payable depends on the purchase price and, in leasehold transactions, on the lease premium and the net present value of the rent. SDLT must be paid within 14 days of completion, and failing to meet this deadline can result in penalties.

VAT is another key consideration. Commercial property is generally exempt from VAT, but a seller may have opted to tax the property, in which case VAT will be chargeable on the purchase price. If you are VAT-registered, you may be able to reclaim the VAT, subject to your intended use of the property and the timing of the transaction. In some cases, if a tenanted property is sold as a going concern, the sale may qualify for VAT exemption under TOGC (Transfer of a Going Concern) rules, provided specific conditions are met.

You may also be able to claim Capital Allowances on certain qualifying fixtures within the property, such as plant and machinery integral to office or industrial use. This can offer valuable tax relief, but it depends on whether allowances have already been claimed and whether the seller and buyer agree on the allocation through a formal election.

+ Can I Buy Land for Commercial Development?

Yes, but buying land for commercial development involves a number of legal, planning, and practical considerations that must be carefully assessed before you commit. You’ll need to investigate whether the land is suitable for your intended use, which includes reviewing:

• Planning permissions or development restrictions
• Access rights and any third-party easements
• Environmental constraints, including flood risk or contamination
• Title conditions that may limit how the land can be used or built upon
• Utility connections, highways access, and infrastructure provisions

If the land is unregistered, or if there are historic rights or overage provisions in place, these may significantly impact its value or development potential.

Our Commercial Property Solicitors will conduct detailed due diligence, liaise with planning consultants and local authorities, and explain your legal position in clear terms. We’ll ensure the land is legally sound and commercially viable before you proceed, giving you confidence that your development plans can go ahead without costly setbacks or legal risk.

+ Do I Need Planning Permission Before Buying or Developing a Commercial Property?

Not necessarily, but understanding the planning position is essential before committing to a purchase or development.

If the property’s current planning use doesn’t match your intended use, for example, converting a warehouse into a retail unit or offices into apartments, you’ll likely need permission for change of use. Similarly, if you’re planning structural alterations, redevelopment, or expansion, planning consent or prior approval may be required.

Even if the property already has planning permission, it’s important to confirm that it is valid, implementable, and free from onerous conditions or enforcement risks.

Our Commercial Property Solicitors work closely with planning professionals and local authorities to carry out the necessary checks, review existing permissions and planning history, and assess whether your plans are achievable. If planning consent is needed, we’ll advise you on the right steps to take and support you throughout the process to help avoid delays, disputes or costly mistakes later on.

Understanding the planning landscape early can make or break your investment, we’ll ensure you move forward with clarity and confidence.