Commercial Property Acquisition and Disposal Solicitors
If you are buying or selling commercial property and need specialist legal advice to complete your transaction efficiently and safely, our solicitors, with over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate across Greater London, can help.
Commercial property acquisition and disposal in England and Wales requires legal work across title investigation, contract drafting, stamp duty land tax, financing, and Land Registry registration, each of which must be completed correctly and in the right order. Law Lane Solicitors was founded in 2015 and operates from offices in Stratford E15, Holborn WC1V, and Croydon CR0. We act for buyers, sellers, investors, and developers across all commercial property types, including offices, retail units, industrial premises, mixed-use buildings, and development land. Our full range of commercial property services is available on our website.
What does our acquisition and disposal legal service cover?
Acquisitions and disposals of commercial property in England and Wales are governed by the Law of Property Act 1925 and the Land Registration Act 2002, which together require the buyer to investigate title, exchange contracts, pay stamp duty land tax, and register ownership with HM Land Registry. Our team advises and represents clients on matters such as:
- Freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals, acting on the purchase and sale of commercial property under the Law of Property Act 1925 across all sectors.
- Title investigation and due diligence, reviewing the title to the property, identifying defects, restrictive covenants, and encumbrances, and advising on how they affect the transaction.
- Contract drafting and negotiation, preparing or reviewing the sale contract and negotiating the terms that protect our client’s position.
- Commercial property searches, including local authority, environmental, drainage, and planning searches, with clear advice on what the results mean.
- Investment property transactions, acting on the acquisition and disposal of tenanted commercial investments and advising on the transfer of existing leases.
- Sale and leaseback transactions, structuring the simultaneous sale and reletting of premises to allow the seller to release capital while retaining occupation.
- Property aspects of business sales and purchases, where commercial premises form part of a wider asset or share transaction.
- SDLT and VAT advice on commercial transactions, ensuring the correct tax treatment and available reliefs are identified before completion.
- Development land disposals, acting on the sale of development sites with or without planning permission, including overage and clawback provisions.
- Post-completion formalities, managing Land Registry registration, filing the SDLT return, and discharging any existing charges on the title.
Why choose Law Lane for acquisitions and disposals?
Acting on both sides of commercial property transactions gives our team direct knowledge of where buyers apply pressure on title issues and where sellers are entitled to resist. That understanding means we resolve issues more quickly and complete transactions in the timescales the deal requires.
Our team acts for clients on single-unit acquisitions and on portfolio transactions involving multiple titles and properties in different parts of Greater London. Whether a transaction is worth £500,000 or £5 million, the solicitor handling the file brings the same level of attention to the title, the contract, and the completion mechanics.
Our Lexcel accreditation from the Law Society of England and Wales, and our 4.95 review rating from over 1,200 reviews, reflect our 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 on your acquisition or disposal today. The earlier we are instructed, the better positioned we are to protect your interests. Please phone: 020 7870 4870 or email: info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk
Law Lane Solicitors is proud to be accredited under The Law Society’s Immigration and Asylum Accreditation.
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Frequently Asked Questions –
Acquisition and Disposal
What is the difference between a freehold and a leasehold commercial property?
In a freehold transaction, the buyer acquires the outright ownership of the property and the land indefinitely. In a leasehold transaction, the buyer acquires the remaining term of an existing lease or a new lease from the freeholder. Each type of transaction has different implications for title, value, and ongoing obligations. Leasehold acquisitions require careful review of the existing lease terms before exchange of contracts.
What is an investment property purchase?
An investment property purchase is the acquisition of a commercial property that is already let to one or more tenants. The buyer acquires the building and benefits from the existing leases, including the right to receive rent. We investigate the title, review each existing lease to identify obligations and potential issues, and advise on the transfer of any tenancy deposits or guarantees as part of the transaction.
What is a sale and leaseback?
A sale and leaseback is a transaction in which a property owner sells their property and simultaneously enters into a new lease of the same premises as tenant. The seller receives a capital sum from the sale and continues to occupy the property, paying rent to the new owner. Businesses use these transactions to release capital from their property assets while retaining operational control of their premises.
What searches are needed for a commercial property acquisition?
Standard searches for a commercial acquisition include a local authority search, drainage search, environmental search, and a planning search. Depending on the location and type of property, further searches may be required, such as flood risk, mining, or chancel repair searches. The results can affect value, permitted use, and the availability of finance. We advise on what the search results mean and whether any further investigation is required.
How is VAT treated on a commercial property transaction?
Commercial property transactions may be subject to VAT at the standard rate, depending on whether the seller has elected to tax the property. Where VAT applies, the buyer must account for it in addition to the purchase price. We address the option to tax and its implications as part of our due diligence on every commercial acquisition. We also advise on the transfer of a going-concern election, where relevant.
How long does a commercial property transaction take?
A straightforward acquisition or disposal might complete within four to six weeks. Where the transaction involves complex title issues, financing arrangements, or detailed negotiations, it will take longer. Development land transactions with multiple conditions or overage provisions typically take several months. We give a realistic timetable from the outset and update clients on progress.
What happens at completion?
At completion, the buyer pays the agreed purchase price and receives the title deeds and keys to the property. The seller receives the purchase price and transfers legal ownership. Most commercial transactions in England and Wales complete remotely, with funds transferred electronically and documents exchanged between solicitors. Following completion, we file the SDLT return, pay the tax, and register the new ownership at the Land Registry.
How much does an initial consultation cost?
We offer a fixed-fee initial consultation for commercial acquisition and disposal matters. At that meeting, we review the proposed transaction, identify the key issues, and give a costs estimate for the work. Please get in touch with us to arrange a time.
Commercial Property 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
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