- How long does a commercial property purchase take?
- Six to ten weeks is typical from heads of terms to completion, assuming clean title and a cooperative seller. Lender conditions and outstanding consents are the usual sources of delay.
- Do you review leases for tenants as well as landlords?
- Yes. We act for both, subject to conflict checks, and provide a plain-English report flagging rent review, break, repair, and assignment terms before you commit.
- Can you work alongside our agent and surveyor?
- We prefer it. We coordinate directly with agents, surveyors, and lenders so nothing sits waiting on an email chain, and we report to you on one consolidated timeline.
- What costs should we budget beyond the purchase price?
- Transaction taxes, search and registration fees, lender and valuation costs, VAT where the property is opted to tax, and any apportioned service charge. We give you a written estimate at the outset and flag changes as they arise.
- What is a break clause and how do we exercise it safely?
- It lets a party end the lease early, but conditions on notice period, rent paid up to date, and vacant possession are applied strictly. Missing one requirement invalidates the break, so bring the dates to us months ahead.
- How does a rent review work?
- Most commercial leases review to open-market rent or an index at fixed dates, often upward-only. Timing and notice provisions matter, and we advise on evidence and negotiation strategy before you respond to the landlord's figure.
- Who is responsible for repairs under a commercial lease?
- It depends on the repairing covenant and any schedule of condition. Full repairing and insuring leases put the burden on the tenant, so we negotiate a recorded condition schedule before completion where the building is not new.
- What planning issues should we check before buying a site?
- Existing use rights, live consents and conditions, enforcement history, highways and drainage adoption, and any affordable-housing or infrastructure contributions. These change viability far more than the title itself.
