Buying a Commercial Property
If you are purchasing a commercial property and need specialist legal advice to protect your investment, our solicitors, with over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate transactions across Greater London, can help.
Buying commercial property in England and Wales exposes the buyer to title defects, restrictive covenants, planning constraints, environmental liabilities, and poorly drafted completion conditions, each of which can reduce the purchase price or prevent the property from being used as intended. Law Lane Solicitors was founded in 2015 and operates from offices in Stratford E15, Holborn WC1V, and Croydon CR0. Our commercial property services cover every stage of the acquisition process, from pre-contract due diligence to post-completion registration at HM Land Registry.
Our commercial property team advises buyers of offices, retail units, industrial premises, development land, and investment portfolios across Greater London. We hold a Lexcel accreditation from the Law Society of England and Wales and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our commercial property purchase services
A commercial property purchase in England and Wales passes through pre-contract due diligence, the exchange of contracts, and completion, each of which is governed in part by the Law of Property Act 1925. Our team advises and acts on the following matters:
- Freehold and leasehold acquisitions, acting on offices, retail units, warehouses, and mixed-use properties under the Law of Property Act 1925.
- Title investigation, reviewing the title to the property to identify defects, encumbrances, restrictive covenants, and matters that may affect use or future disposal.
- Commercial property searches, including local authority, drainage, environmental, and planning searches, with clear advice on what the results mean for the purchase.
- Pre-contract enquiries, raising and resolving the questions that must be answered before the buyer is legally committed.
- Drafting and negotiating the contract, ensuring the terms of the sale protect the buyer’s position and address issues identified during due diligence.
- Financing, acting for buyers on commercial mortgage and development finance transactions, including dealing with the lender’s solicitors.
- Overage and clawback provisions, advising buyers on clauses that require additional payments to the seller if development or planning permission is obtained after completion.
- SDLT advice, ensuring stamp duty land tax is correctly calculated and that available reliefs are claimed before the return is filed.
- Land Registry registration, completing the post-completion formalities to register ownership and any lender’s charge.
- Purchase of property as part of a business acquisition, where commercial premises form part of a wider share or asset purchase.
Why choose Law Lane for commercial property purchases?
Law Lane Solicitors has handled commercial property acquisitions ranging from single retail units to multi-site investment portfolios. Acting for clients on both sides of these transactions gives us a clear view of where sellers resist and what buyers need to insist on. That experience shortens negotiations and reduces the risk of problems emerging after completion.
A buyer who proceeds with the exchange without obtaining a proper environmental search may, after completion, receive a contamination report requiring remediation at substantial cost. That outcome is avoidable. We conduct thorough due diligence and clearly advise on what the results mean before the buyer is committed.
Our Lexcel accreditation from the Law Society of England and Wales, and our 4.95 review rating from over 1,200 reviews, reflect our high standard of work. We give clients a realistic timetable, keep them informed at every stage, and ensure the legal work does not become the bottleneck in the transaction.
Get in touch
Our commercial property team is ready to advise you today. The earlier we are instructed, the more effectively we can protect your position throughout the transaction. Please phone: 020 7870 4870 or email info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk to book a consultation.
Law Lane Solicitors is proud to be accredited under The Law Society’s Immigration and Asylum Accreditation.
Got any questions?
* Required
"*" indicates required fields
I recently used Law Lane Solicitors for a property matter and the service was outstanding. Ata Ur Rahman was professional, knowledgeable, and kept me fully informed throughout the whole process. He handled everything efficiently and made what can be a stressful experience feel straightforward and hassle free. I would highly recommend Law Lane Solicitors to anyone looking for reliable and expert legal advice. Thank you for all your help. – SF – Google review
Frequently Asked Questions – Buying Commercial Property
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold commercial property?
With a freehold purchase, the buyer acquires outright ownership of the property and the land indefinitely. With a leasehold purchase, the buyer acquires the right to occupy the property for a fixed term set out in the lease, subject to the terms agreed with the landlord. Leasehold commercial properties are common in England and Wales for offices and retail units. The length of the lease and its terms directly affect the investment’s value.
What searches are required when buying commercial property?
Standard searches for a commercial purchase in England and Wales include a local authority search, drainage search, environmental search, and planning search. Depending on the location and type of property, additional searches may be relevant, such as mining, flood risk, chancel repair, or highway searches. The results can affect permitted use, the availability of finance, and the property’s long-term value. We explain what each result discloses and advise on anything that warrants further investigation.
What is a restrictive covenant and why does it matter?
A restrictive covenant is an obligation recorded in the title to a property that limits how the property can be used. Restrictive covenants bind buyers even when they were unaware of them at the time of purchase. We review all title documents as part of our due diligence and advise on any covenants that may affect the buyer’s intended use.
What is overage and should I be concerned about it?
Overage is a contractual obligation requiring the buyer to make additional payments to the seller if specified events occur after completion, most commonly the grant of planning permission for development. Overage clauses can run for 20 years or more and impose significant financial obligations on the buyer. We review any overage provisions before the exchange and advise the buyer on their exposure in each scenario.
How long does a commercial property purchase take?
A straightforward freehold purchase can be completed within six to eight weeks from instruction. Where the transaction involves financing, complex title issues, or extensive pre-contract negotiations, completion will take longer. Development land transactions and portfolio acquisitions typically take several months. We give a realistic timetable from the outset.
What is SDLT and when is it payable?
Stamp duty land tax is a tax payable on the purchase of commercial property in England. The rates and available reliefs depend on the purchase price, the type of property, and the buyer’s circumstances. Stamp duty land tax must be paid and a return filed within 14 days of completion. We calculate the liability and ensure the return is filed correctly and on time.
Can I pull out of a commercial property purchase before exchange?
Yes, either party can withdraw from a commercial property transaction before exchange of contracts without legal penalty. Once contracts are exchanged, the purchase becomes legally binding, and withdrawal carries financial consequences, including loss of any deposit paid. We ensure the buyer understands exactly what they are committing to at exchange before signing.
Commercial Conveyancing Team
Saghir Ahmad
Managing Director, SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Brian Hoffman
Consultant SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Amrit Kaur Grewal
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Ata Ur Rahman
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Ganga Gunatilake
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Adedamola Adedeji
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Kainaat Malik
Trainee SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Rahat Ara Gitu
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Amina Aziz
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Esra Demirtas
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Farzana Mohammed
Trainee SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Christian O. Nwaorah
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Hafza Hassan
Trainee SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Hina Latif
Legal Consultant / RFLView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Aiziya Khan
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Sanushi Sumaya Hemantha
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Syed Umer Ali
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Accreditations & Memberships
