Commercial Property Solicitors

Services provided by our commercial property solicitors

Our expert commercial property solicitors can provide your business with legal advice in a wide range of areas, including:

• Landlord and tenant matters. Advising on matters such as commercial leases and licences to occupy, as well as renewals, rent reviews and other contentious issues. 

• Easements. Dealing with legal rights that allow the use of another party’s land for a specific purpose, such as access or utilities.

• Freehold acquisitions. Assisting clients with the purchase of the freehold property (as an existing leaseholder or otherwise), including dealing with positive covenants (ongoing obligations) present in the freehold or imposed by the seller.

• Buying or selling commercial property. Assisting with the legal aspects of buying and selling business premises such as offices, shops or industrial units. 

• Advising on the commercial property aspects of corporate transactions. Supporting mergers, acquisitions or sales where commercial property is involved.

• Real estate and investment property development. Providing legal guidance on developing land or property for commercial or investment purposes.
• Commercial property financing. Navigating the funding for property purchases or developments, including advice in respect of loan agreements and mortgages.

• Construction contracts. Drafting and negotiating contracts for building works between developers, contractors, and consultants.

• Acting for Receivers in the sale of property. Representing Receivers appointed to sell property assets as part of debt recovery processes.

• Acting for public sector clients. Providing legal support to government bodies and public authorities on property transactions and regulatory compliance, including in compulsory purchase contexts.

Our commercial property law experience

The experience of our commercial property solicitors includes: 

• Acting for significant landlords. Advising some of the largest landlords in the UK, including The Crown Estate, National Trust, National Grid Property Holdings and various investment funds.

• Acting for SMEs. Advising small companies and entrepreneurs on their commercial property needs in London and across the UK, which has included:
  • Restaurant chain. Assisting a new restaurant chain on the acquisition of a number of leasehold retail premises across London and the new lease of a warehouse distribution centre.
  • National retailer. Representing a national retailer on the acquisition of new retail premises nationwide structured as new business leases, assignments of business leases and purchases of freeholds (including both asset sales and corporate acquisitions).
  • Care home group. Working with a national Care Home Group in respect of the acquisition of both office and care home premises across the UK.
  • Property based businesses. Helping various property-based companies including hotels, petrol stations and retail companies acquire and sell commercial properties.
  • Banks and financial institutions. Advising banks on lending and other property finance offerings to property developers, property investors, landed estates and small businesses.

• M&A deals. Leading property-based M&A deals worth over EUR 1.4BN, including two of the largest deals of the last several years in Central Europe. Examples include:
  • TriGranit. Sale of the Trigranit international property portfolio (EUR 550M).
  • Silesia Center. Sale of the Silesia Center, Poland (EUR 412M).
  • Empark. Acquisition of Empark Business Park, Poland (EUR 140M).
  • Extensive US property portfolio. Sale of a property portfolio in Texas and Arizona, USA (US $250M).

Client reviews

Hear from our clients about how our legal expertise has been instrumental in their success: https://emlaw.co.uk/reviews/. 

Some of the notable reviews in respect of our commercial property solicitors include: 

“I’ve been very happy with things. [James Williamson] has been very responsive, email, WhatsApp, the various different platforms of communication, so very happy . I found [James Williamson] really helpful, alternative hours, very happy to continue using [him] and very productive.” – Natalie Kirkwood, MD of Sanderson Jewellery & Watch Group

“Every time we have emailed you [James Williamson], or spoken and asked the questions, you have come back with the answers and you have gone beyond… more than a lot of solicitors in our past experience have done for us and I can only say thank you very much – it has been an excellent service.” – Gillian Burston, Director Breakwells Group

“James has been more than generous – he has really been amazing at guiding me through this process.” – Claire Goodwin Director CG Consultancy

FAQs

Why work with EM Law’s commercial property solicitors? 

If you are looking for a commercial property solicitor you need an expert to look after a valuable asset – your business premises or investment property. Land ownership or dealing with commercial leases is an expensive commitment. You need expert advice from a commercial property solicitor with deep experience of commercial property transactions.

We adopt a very commercial approach. The real estate market moves quickly and we will make any negotiations as swift as possible while making sure your business is protected.

Our experience includes not just London and UK commercial property matters, we can help with overseas commercial property transactions as well.

Commercial property law can be complicated. Our commercial property solicitors explain things in a clear and concise manner so that you can understand risk and take informed decisions.

What are the main things to think about when taking on a business lease?

It may sound obvious but it is important to check that the size of the premises is clearly defined in the commercial lease and matches the premises you are expecting. Ensure that the length of the business lease fits your commercial objectives. Consider asking for a break clause. Be aware of hidden costs and transactional costs such as stamp duty land tax and costs to cover land registry requirements. Consider including provisions in your commercial leases permitting you to assign or sublet.

What costs are involved in purchasing a commercial property?

In addition to any property finance costs (i.e. borrowing costs) you will need to pay legal fees, stamp duty land tax, land registry fees, search fees and potentially third party professional fees e.g. if you are using a surveyor for advice on the commercial property you are acquiring. Landlords of commercial leases require rent deposits to be paid up front and there may be other costs such as costs connected with insurance cover to pay.

Can I sublet my business lease?

It depends on what your business lease says. The terms of your lease may prohibit you from subletting altogether or it may impose restrictions on your ability to sublet. Contact us so that our commercial property solicitors can check your lease quickly.

Do I need permission to alter my commercial property?

This depends on whether you own the freehold or you lease the business premises and whether the alterations require planning permission. If you are a tenant we would need to check your lease to see if the alterations that you wish to make are permitted or restricted.

Do I need a solicitor to sell a commercial property?

While not legally required, it is highly advisable to use a solicitor when selling commercial property. A solicitor can handle complex legal paperwork, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate a smooth transaction, reducing the risk of legal issues. Additionally, having a solicitor can be beneficial for drafting and reviewing lease agreements, negotiating terms, and ensuring all legal requirements are met to protect your interests, preventing future disputes and legal complications.

What does a commercial property lawyer do?

A commercial property lawyer handles all legal requirements related to the sale, lease, or purchase of commercial properties, buildings, or land. They specialise in property transactions and leases, providing expert advice to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Do commercial property solicitors go to court?

Yes, commercial property solicitors can represent clients in court, particularly in disputes related to property transactions, lease agreements, and other property-related litigation matters.

What is the difference between a freehold and a leasehold property?

A freehold property means the owner has full control and practical ownership of the land and buildings indefinitely. In contrast, a leasehold property means the occupier has a right to use the property from the freeholder for a set period under a lease agreement, subject to conditions imposed by the freeholder. Leasehold interests can run decades (or even centuries) and often involve ongoing obligations such as service charges.

What should I consider when buying a commercial property through a corporate acquisition?

When acquiring a commercial property as part of a company purchase, it’s essential to review not just the property title but also the corporate structure, liabilities, and any leases or contracts in place. Legal due diligence will help uncover issues like unregistered easements, outstanding rent reviews, or restrictive covenants. Specialist advice from commercial property solicitors ensures the acquisition is structured efficiently and any property risks are identified and managed.Navigate your commercial property ventures with EM Law’s top-tier legal advice and personalised client care.