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Our commercial property solicitors deliver expert and proactive guidance to businesses large and small – always taking care to balance our legal support with strategic risk management. We provide comprehensive legal advice in Orpington, Dartford and Bexleyheath on all aspects of commercial property.
Clients include:
- Developers engaged in multiple large-scale commercial property deals
- Owners of commercial property wishing to reshape their portfolio
- Businesses buying or leasing a new office or other premises
- Commercial landlords
The team at T G Baynes can assist with:
- Commercial property purchases
- Commercial property sales
- Commercial property development
- Commercial property disputes
We’ll ensure you fully understand the legal implications of any transaction before you make any kind of commitment.
Contact our commercial property solicitors in Orpington, Dartford and Bexleyheath
To speak to one of our commercial property lawyers in Orpington, Dartford and Bexleyheath, please fill in our simple enquiry form or call 020 8301 7777.
Our commercial property services
Commercial property purchases
Buying a commercial property is a complex legal process, whether the purchase relates to a freehold building or the granting of a commercial lease over parts of an office block or other premises.
Buyers and sellers often have different priorities, and it will be essential to manage and cooperate with a range of interested parties – from local authorities and surveyors to lenders and planners. Added to this, buying commercial property usually means working under strict time constraints.
Our team of expert commercial property solicitors will pull all these different strands of your purchase together, identifying any potential legal issues and ensuring your transaction proceeds to completion as smoothly as possible.
Commercial property sales
Selling commercial real estate means putting the right contractual terms in place and protecting you against any legal claims that may arise following the sale. Our solicitors for selling commercial property act for developers, investors and individual commercial property owners.
Our work includes producing comprehensive sales packs, dealing with all queries regarding title to the property, obtaining any necessary third party consents, providing advice on guarantees and warranties where appropriate and handling all post-completion matters as they arise.
Commercial property development
We have years of experience working with a wide variety of commercial property developers, and because we act for both buyers and sellers of development land, we have the professional expertise to see transactions from both sides.
T G Baynes can advise you on the different types of options and agreements that arise in property development deals such as exclusivity (lock out) agreements, options to buy, conditional contracts and promotion agreements.
We can act quickly when the situation demands it, identifying the legal issues, restrictions, planning and other issues that could affect your long term investment strategy for the land in question.
Commercial property disputes
Litigation relating to commercial property can arise even in the most unforeseen circumstances. Whether the dispute is about some aspect of buying or selling commercial property or the disagreement relates to ownership or leasing of commercial property it is important to tackle the issues quickly. In our experience, if commercial property disputes are not addressed in a timely and in a constructive way they can quickly spiral into expensive and time-consuming legal proceedings.
Our commercial property solicitors have the experience to handle a wide range of commercial property disputes effectively, including possession proceedings, disputes about service charges, breach of covenants in commercial leases, and planning disputes. We often use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, such as mediation, arbitration and adjudication. Typically this is far cheaper and faster than going through the court system. ADR can also help you preserve long term commercial relationships because it is less confrontational than litigation
Our fees for commercial property work
Our commercial property solicitors know that clients want value for money and we offer expert commercial property legal help at extremely reasonable rates. We’re clear with you about how we charge as well, through realistic cost estimates before we begin.
For full details of our fees for commercial property work or to request a commercial conveyancing costs estimate, please get in touch using the contact details above.
Our commercial property experts
Commercial property FAQs
What is commercial property law?
Commercial property law deals with the legalities of owning, renting, buying and selling commercial premises or land that is being developed for residential or commercial use. Many of the legal principles applicable to residential conveyancing and property law apply to commercial property. However, there are often much larger sums of money at stake and more environmental, planning and other regulations to consider in commercial property law compared to domestic property transactions.
As commercial property lawyers, our job is to negotiate and draft contracts that meet the objectives of our clients while at the same time ensuring that clients comply with all their legal obligations and avoid any future legal claims. We also represent clients when a commercial property dispute arises.
Do I need a solicitor to sell a commercial property?
Having a solicitor when selling a commercial property isn’t a strict legal requirement – unlike for example when you are buying commercial property with the assistance of a commercial loan. There the lender will insist that a solicitor carries out the conveyancing.
However, it is rare for a seller not to employ solicitors for commercial property selling.
Commercial property transactions can be complex, and an experienced commercial property solicitor will be able to help you avoid unfavourable terms as well as identify any issues or potential problems with the property.
They will also be able to help protect your interests and ensure that all documentation is compliant with commercial property law. Above all you have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your solicitor is highly trained, regulated and fully insured.
It is also possible that your buyer will be reluctant to deal directly with you if you do not engage a solicitor.
What services does a commercial property solicitor provide?
An experienced commercial property solicitor will provide a comprehensive range of services. In addition to being able to advise you generally on your transaction, the key issues to look out for, and advising you on realistic timescales and obstacles that may delay completion, the following are the usual services provided:
- Handling sale and purchase transactions
- Advice on conditional sales, option agreements, pre-emption agreements and overage agreements
- Liaising with commercial lenders and dealing with loan conditions
- Commercial lease advice
- Acting in disputes between landlords and tenants
- Commercial property disputes
What are the common challenges in commercial property transactions?
Like any business transaction, commercial property deals can become frustrating due to a range of factors. While some obstacles may be entirely unpredictable, many potential hurdles can be overcome with preparation and foresight. Some of the issues you may face include:
- Delays caused by buyer enquiries – The buyer is entitled to carry out research and enquiries into the property being purchased. Commercial Property Standard Enquiry forms (CPSEs) are used in most transactions. These cover issues such as boundaries, Party Wall Act matters, easements and matters relating to the property’s condition, for example whether there is evidence of asbestos. In our experience the due diligence of the buyer can sometimes become too exhaustive, causing unacceptable delays and even jeopardising the sale. An experienced commercial property solicitor will know what a reasonable enquiry is and what isn’t. Your solicitor should also be adept at keeping channels of communication open with other parties to ensure the transaction stays on track. Delays can also be avoided by assembling a comprehensive sellers pack well ahead of the sale that includes standard documents such as EPCs and answers to common enquiries.
- Planning Certificates – Issues may arise if the buyer wants to change the use of the property.
- Vacant possession – If the property is not empty, for example there are tenants occupying the building under a lawful tenancy, this will have to be factored into any sale or lease acquisition.
- Contractual issues – Where a buyer withdraws from the sale after the exchange of contracts there may be legal remedies available to the seller, including a claim for damages or court orders for specific performance of the contract.
- Survey issues – If the survey reveals structural or other issues with the property the sale may be aborted, or a new price negotiated.
- Regulatory compliance – Environmental, planning and other regulations are constantly evolving. It is important that you use a solicitor who is familiar with the current law so that proper enquiries are made if you are buying, and correct responses are provided if you are the seller.
Who will handle my commercial property transaction?
Members of our team of solicitors for commercial property will be more than happy to handle your commercial property transaction. Our business is based on building long lasting relationships with clients. You’ll always have a direct point of contact with the solicitor in charge of your transaction and benefit from our commercial property lawyers’ many years of experience. We have a track record of providing a flexible, cost-effective and reliable service and ensuring that your transaction runs as smoothly as possible. We will always update you on progress and potential issues that may delay or complicate your transaction.
How do I choose the best commercial property solicitor for me?
At T G Baynes, we understand that choosing the best commercial real estate solicitor for your specific situation can be difficult. It requires careful consideration and research.
Our solicitors have an excellent record of guiding clients through various commercial property transactions, from relatively straightforward agreements to more complex, high value deals involving multiple parties.
Our commercial property lawyers will also be able to comprehensively answer any initial questions you might have about your commercial property transaction, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Finally T G Baynes has substantial administrative and professional resources. With more than 50 staff you know you will have all the backup you need to ensure your case progresses efficiently.
Contact our commercial property solicitors in Orpington, Dartford and Bexleyheath
To get commercial property legal advice from one of solicitors in Orpington, Dartford and Bexleyheath, please fill in our simple enquiry form or call 020 8301 7777.