Real estate

Yes. A solicitor is essential when buying commercial property to conduct due diligence, draft and negotiate the sale and purchase agreement, handle land registry filings, check title issues, advise on planning and zoning, and manage contractual obligations. They also liaise with lenders and ensure the transaction complies with UK property law.

Due diligence is the process of investigating legal, financial, and physical issues that may affect a property. This includes reviewing title deeds, planning permissions, environmental reports, lease terms, restrictions, and potential liabilities. A solicitor conducts due diligence to protect the buyer or investor and identify risks before completion.

Most commercial property transactions take between 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the deal, whether finance is involved, and if there are planning or title issues. Delays may also arise from the other party’s readiness or external factors such as local authority searches.

A freehold property means you own the building and the land it stands on indefinitely.

A leasehold means you have the right to occupy the property for a fixed period under a lease, but the land is owned by the freeholder. Leasehold is common in flats and commercial tenancies.

Generally, planning permission is required for most forms of development. Some minor changes may fall under permitted development rights, but larger projects will need consent from the local planning authority. Failing to obtain permission can lead to enforcement action.

A Section 106 agreement is a legal obligation entered into between a developer and the local planning authority as part of a planning permission. It may require contributions toward affordable housing, infrastructure, or community facilities to mitigate the impact of development.