How we can help you with your commercial property

| Acquisitions and disposals

If you are buying commercial property, we will ensure that you will be able to carry out the business activities that you want at the premises and that the legal title is sound. We will explain any restrictions clearly and advise on issues such as tax implications and matters relating to any leases there may be.

We also offer representation if you are selling a commercial property, preparing the documentation for the buyer’s solicitors and dealing promptly with their enquiries. 

We represent all types of commercial property owners, including investors, developers, business owners and landlords. 

| Commercial leases, including assignments of leases and lease renewals

Leasing commercial property is complex and involves a wide range of obligations and liabilities. It is essential to fully understand what you will be taking on and to have your interests protected as far as possible.

Issues of particular importance include negotiating and agreeing on the following:

• The length of the lease
• How rent increases will be dealt with
• Whether break clauses will be included
• How service charges will be calculated
• What responsibility the tenant will have for repairs and maintenance
• Whether the lease can be assigned or sublet
• How the lease can be terminated

We will work with you to establish what you and your organisation’s needs are and negotiate robustly on your behalf to secure the right agreement.

| Commercial development

We deal with commercial developments of all sizes, representing developers and landowners from the start of the development to the end. We work tirelessly to ensure that each stage of the transaction can progress smoothly, without legal hold-ups, including dealing with:

• Site acquisition
• Planning issues
• Development finance
• Construction
• Change of use
• Sale of developed property, to include drafting leases and creating management companies where necessary

| Commercial property financing 

Where clients are obtaining commercial property finance, we work to ensure that the legal aspects are dealt with promptly so that delays can be avoided. We handle all types of financing for commercial property, including:

• Commercial mortgages and commercial remortgage
• Development finance
• Bridging loans
• Buy to let finance
• Non-traditional commercial property finance
• Advice on personal guarantees

| Buying and selling businesses

Purchasing another business can represent a significant opportunity in your business ventures. This can involve purchasing the business itself as well as the property that it occupies, which means it is essential to ensure a smooth transition to maximise your business’s chances of long-term success with its new investment. 

You may be merging the business with your own or letting it operate independently under your franchise. Likewise, your business may be sold to new owners due to a change of focus or relocation, but it is run in the same manner as before, such as when a convenience store changes hands yet remains operationally identical. 

These types of transactions can represent significant growth and capital return opportunities, so it is important to enlist the best legal guidance to ensure that you fully capitalise on your commercial property transactions.

At Levi Solicitors, our team have comprehensive experience handling the most complex commercial property transactions, providing the bespoke support necessary to ensure that operational functionality remains smooth and any transitions are completed seamlessly. We will work with your company to ensure your interests are satisfied and your goals are met.

| Leasehold enfranchisement

Leaseholders of residential or mainly residential properties often have the right to purchase the freehold. This is known as leasehold enfranchisement. The process of buying the freehold can be dealt with formally or informally. 

Our leasehold enfranchisement solicitors represent landlords and tenants in the enfranchisement process, ensuring the correct procedure is followed, dealing with negotiations over the premium to be paid and ensuring the purchase is correctly registered with HM Land Registry.

We also handle related matters, including creating and registering management companies and extending leases.

| Refinancing / remortgaging commercial property

As well as dealing with the initial financing of a commercial property venture, we also represent property owners in commercial property refinancing and remortgaging. We know how crucial it can be to deal with the finance aspects of commercial property transactions promptly and we provide an efficient service, always aiming to meet deadlines.

| All ancillary heads of property work, such as planning and forfeiture

We provide a full service to our commercial property clients, with expertise in supporting areas of law, including:

• Planning advice
• Drafting a full range of commercial property documentation, including heads of terms, option agreements, uplift agreements and lockout agreements
• Construction contracts
• Licences and leases
• Lease forfeiture
• Commercial property dispute resolution

For more information on our property dispute services, see our commercial property disputes solicitors page.

What can our commercial property solicitors do for you?

We offer a full range of commercial property services across the needs of an enterprise all stages of the business cycle. From buying or leasing an organisation’s first commercial premises to refinancing, commercial property investment and sales.

We will take the time to understand your business’s needs and work as part of your team to ensure that you have the flexibility you need in dealing with commercial property. We pay great attention to detail and will work to protect your interests and limit your liability as far as possible.

Why choose our commercial property solicitors?

Our specialist solicitors advise on a wide spectrum of commercial property work. By working in conjunction with our commercial litigation and licensing experts we believe that we are well placed to offer every aspect of commercial property advice under one roof.

We act for a diverse range of businesses, and our loyal client base spanning many years is testament to the quality of our service. We deal with property matters of any size or value and we are able to do so at a reasonable cost to our clients, whilst at the same time maintaining the highest standards of skill and care.

Our partner-led team is dedicated to letting you get on with your busy day job whilst delivering sound commercial advice and solutions. The bedrock of our business is the close professional relationships that we build with our clients, which allow us to work alongside them in a trusted partnership to fulfil their individual objectives.

With many years of experience in commercial property in Leeds, London and elsewhere, we have the understanding to manage transactions efficiently, dealing promptly and effectively with complex issues and problems.

We know that deals are often time-sensitive and we always aim to move matters forward without delay, working proactively to ensure that other parties are also progressing their end of a transaction.

We have a strong commercial understanding and our advice will be based on this as well as on our legal expertise. Our advice will be pragmatic and we will offer practical solutions to complications, preventing hold-ups wherever possible.  

Frequently asked questions about commercial property