Chattertons Solicitors Banner Image

Commercial Property Solicitors

Commercial property solicitors at Chattertons advise on a range of transactions for clients.

Acting for property developers, investors, landlords and tenants, we provide the experienced legal support that steers clients through acquisitions of land and property, through to disposal, and on all aspects of lease arrangements.

Our service broadly covers:

  • Agricultural issues, including the granting and termination of tenancies, partnerships and succession planning;
  • Construction projects, such as dealing with building contracts, appointments and collateral warranties;
  • Development and redevelopment of retail, residential and mixed-use sites, right through from site acquisition to onward sale/letting;
  • Banking, finance and secured lending;
  • Commercial landlord and tenant matters;
  • Compulsory purchase orders;
  • Planning, including planning appeals and dealing with planning agreements;
  • Renewable energy projects including solar, wind and anaerobic digestion plants.

Working closely with clients, our commercial property solicitors help identify opportunities, negotiate the commercial arrangements and provide the legal paperwork that ensures certainty and protects your legal and commercial position. Our approach is thorough; we spot problems and potential pitfalls. It is also an approach that takes account of your long-term business objectives; one that ensures that you take the right steps.

Our commercial property solicitors get to know clients, their expectations, and their preferred way of working. If you are new to commercial property, you can rely on us to explain everything that is unfamiliar to you, in a way that makes sense. And if you are a seasoned developer, landlord or investor, you can take it that we will work at your level.

WHAT THE UK LEGAL 500 SAYS ABOUT US? 

 Legal5002023

Chattertons covers all aspects of commercial property work and acts for a variety of clients ranging from national developers to national banks. The team has particular niche expertise in ecclesiastical property work where it recently acted on a complex sale of church grounds. Practice head Jonathan Blythe specialises in, among others, overage transactions and advice to national lenders regarding property finance. May Ozga, a specialist in landlord and tenant transactions, joined in January 2022. Both are based in Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Practice head(s): Jonathan Blythe

Other key lawyers: May Ozga

Testimonials

‘The team at Chattertons are hardworking, dedicated and always receptive to answering the changes that are faced as developers. Using their experience of residential development they are able to offer advice on dealing with difficult situations as they arise.’

‘The stand out individual I work with at Chattertons is an associate Jaimie Barclay. Her knowledge, experience and dedication to the role makes her an invaluable resource. Her ability to problem solve and discuss options and provide advice is essential to my role and knowing that I can ask any question is a really important part of the service that Chattertons provide.’

‘We have used Chattertons for most of our legal advice. They are professional, organised and well versed in our areas of work. Most importantly to me, when I need them they are there.

Clients often ask us...

Who will handle my transaction?

It could be any one of our experienced commercial property solicitors; all are equipped to deal with the full range of commercial property law issues and transactions. Larger or more complex transactions often call for a team approach. In that situation, your transaction will be led by a partner, supported by other lawyers in the team.

Will your fee for my work be fixed?

Our transactional commercial property work is almost always fixed fee but, for other matters - where it is less easy to predict the amount and type of work involved - we base our charges on an hourly rate.  

We will always agree with you the proposed method of charging at the outset, and we promise to never send you a bill that you are not expecting; we will tell you exactly what the amount of each bill is going to be and how it is made up. And because we keep in regular contact with each client not just on the progress of their matter but also on the level of our fees, clients are able to properly budget for these alongside the other costs of their commercial property matter.

How long will my commercial property transaction take?

This depends on the type of transaction and on its various elements. It also depends on the people involved; not all parties to a transaction, or their advisors, work at the same pace. 

Our commercial property solicitors are proactive. We work to deadlines. We also make sure that where something or someone is threatening to derail or unduly delay a transaction, we apply the necessary pressure to keep things on track.

Are you well connected?

Yes. Our commercial property lawyers enjoy good working relationships with banks and other lenders, with businesses, investors, property developers, and surveyors throughout the UK. One advantage of this is the spirit of cooperation that it lends to commercial property transactions. Another is the range of opportunities that we are able to offer clients as a consequence of these connections.

We are commercial tenants. Can we get out of our lease early?

This depends on the terms of your lease. You should read it thoroughly to see what steps you would need to take in order to bring it to an end before it has run its course. You should have a commercial property solicitor look over the terms of your lease and help you formulate a plan of action.

Is it better to buy a commercial property or to take a lease on one?

Most business owners choose to rent because it does not require them to fund a purchase price. It might more easily allow them to relocate in the future, if that is what could be on the cards. However, other business owners choose to buy, in order to boost their company’s assets. Owning the freehold could also enable you to generate income by splitting the property into single units under long leases.

It is a decision to make in the very early days of your commercial property search. That said, be prepared to alter your plans if the right opportunity presents itself.

What is a rent review?

This is a process by which the rent payable on a commercial property is reassessed and perhaps changed - increased or decreased - to fit in with the existing market conditions. It typically happens every three to five years, but the lease will specify the timings.  

A landlord and tenant should try to agree the new rent, with the help of their own surveyor. If no agreement is reached, it will be for a third party to set the rent. It is a process that we often guide clients â€â€œ both landlords and tenants - through.

I am a property developer in dispute with a contractor. I think they have charged for carrying out work that they have not done. Could you help?

Yes. Our commercial property lawyers frequently deal with property disputes, in collaboration with our dispute resolution team. Having both sets of expertise at our disposal brings significant benefits to clients. Most cases like yours are run by our dispute resolution solicitors, with our commercial property law input as and when required.

Contact us

If you would like to talk to one of our specialist commercial property solicitors, please contact your local office or complete our online enquiry form.