Commercial property

  • Our team has extensive experience and expertise in commercial property transactions. They combine expert legal knowledge, technical ability, and commercial focus to deliver a service that supports and guides clients through the transaction.

    We also advise in all aspects of landlord and tenant relationships, including letting, assignments, surrenders, rent reviews, alterations, disputes, and lease renewals.

    We appreciate that each client will have different requirements depending on the type of business they operate and we are committed to ensuring that the service we provide is tailored specifically to the particular needs of each client.

    Our precedents are continually maintained and take account of changes in the law as they happen.

    Contact us to discuss any Commercial property matters affecting your business.

  • Commercial leases

    We advise both landlords and tenants on all aspects of business tenancies including:

    • negotiation of new commercial leases
    • exclusion of business tenancy security under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
    • lease assignments
    • underlettings
    • surrenders, break clauses, terminations
    • rent reviews
    • lease renewals (whether by private negotiation or through exercising business tenancy security renewal rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954)
    • property management work such as licences to alter, assign or sub-let and variation of leases
    • dilapidations and other end of lease term matters
    • Stamp Duty Land Tax for higher value leases

    Dispute resolution

    The most common property dispute businesses have is regarding the building they occupy. We have extensive experience in dealing with disputes relating to enforcement of lease terms including service charges, payment of rent, dilapidations, and the renewal terms of leases.

    We also advise on disputes relating to rights of way over land, easements and nuisance caused by neighbouring properties.

    Buying and Selling

    Businesses have differing and evolving needs when it comes to property. Our services are offered on a bespoke basis to best serve your particular requirements.

    Our solicitors advise on all aspects of commercial property and can provide an end-to-end service, from acquiring the property to planning and construction, finance, and final disposal.

    We regularly act in transactions involving all manner of commercial property including factories and industrial units, offices, shops, restaurants, public houses, nursing homes, mixed user buildings and let buildings with occupational tenants.
    We also act for landowners and developers under option agreements and conditional contracts subject to planning.

    Whatever the property type, you can be assured of clear and practical advice and where needed, access to our trusted network of related professional services, such as surveyors, capital allowances advisers, and tax experts.

  • Our Specialists

    Our legal teams have a genuine passion for what they do. Their specialist knowledge is an absolute given and they pride themselves in working alongside clients to help them achieve the results they seek in their professional and personal lives.

    If you have any questions, please get in touch.

  • 01892 526344

    In addition to heading up our Property team Robert has developed expertise in specialist areas of property practice including residential conveyancing, lease extensions and freehold acquisitions on behalf of tenants, farming and agricultural property law, bank finance and secured lending, and commercial property.

    Robert also advises businesses on commercial leases, sales and purchases of going concerns, and new build development. He is also the firm’s senior responsible officer under its Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation.

    His recent high profile cases include the acquisition of a 220 acre mixed residential and agricultural farm site for £6.75m and acting for a borrower taking a £5m loan against a residential portfolio of 44 properties.

    Robert qualified in 2007 and trained with the firm before joining the Property Department, where he worked his way up to become a partner in 2010 and subsequently head of department.

  • Expertise

    • Residential conveyancing
    • Commercial property
    • Farms and agricultural land
    • Title issues
    • Landlord and tenant
    • Business transactions

    What clients say

    “Please accept a sincere thank you for your exemplary professional service whilst undertaking the sale of our barn.” “Robert is a highly professional and personable lawyer. He has a very good ability to explain complex legal issues and communicates well throughout any legal engagement. I would highly recommend him.” “Robert acted for me during the purchase of my business. I have always found him and all his colleagues at Berry & Berry thoroughly professional and they have provided me with sound advice.” "Excellent service, Robert is very good - will use again."

    Other

    Robert’s personal interests include landscape photography, travel, film and literature. He has an ambition to climb all 214 “Wainwrights” in the Lake District.

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    Melanie is a partner in our property team and is expert in all aspects of residential conveyancing including new-build properties (acting for both developers and purchasers), transfers of equity and in commercial property and landlord and tenant matters.

    Melanie has been a property lawyer for over 30 years, working initially for a central London firm, followed by two high profile law firms in Kent before joining the property team at Berry & Lamberts in October 2013.

  • Expertise

    • All Aspects of Residential Conveyancing
    • Transfers of Equity
    • New Build Properties, (acting for both developer and purchaser)
    • Commercial Property
    • Business Transactions
    • Landlord and Tenant

    What clients say

    "Thank you so much for all the work you did to ensure that we were able to get moved house last week. We know that you worked to a very tight timeline, and this really helped us out. I think things would be very different if we were attempting to move this week with the current measures with the Coronavirus. Thank you again." “I have never had such a wonderful service. Melanie listened to what I had to say and we were kept up to date.” ”My conveyancing had to be carried out unusually quickly and it was done effectively and efficiently.” “Quick, responsive, friendly, local.” “Thank you for the efforts you always make with such speed. I know we have been a bit demanding with the short notice we tend to give and yet you always deliver.” "You've been great throughout the journey. Thanks so much for your cooperation, professional approach and great management of this file. We are really grateful" "Thank you so much for your speedy  and efficient work, we will be recommending you to all our friends as we have had an excellent service from you" " Thank you for getting us to the finish  line with our first investment transaction. Your cooperation, professional guidance and great management  of the file was invaluable and greatly appreciated"    

    Other

    Melanie enjoys reading, walking and cycling and has recently taken up the very challenging and increasingly popular form of exercise using kettle bells. Melanie lives locally with her husband and her three children.

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    Will qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and became a Partner in the firm in 2014. He specialises in both Residential and Commercial Property work and acts for a wide range of clients buying and selling properties in the local area and further afield. Will also acts for property developers on the acquisition of sites and then the subsequent plot sales, as well as for a number of businesses on Commercial Property matters.

    Will’s recent high profile cases include acting for a local authority on the acquisition of a freehold mixed use high street premises for in excess of £4m, acting for a tenant on a lease at Bluewater Shopping Centre and acting for a local property developer on the acquisition and refinancing of a town centre development site.

     

     

  • Expertise

    • Residential Property – sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold properties,  transfers of equity, remortgages
    • Commercial Property
    • Title issues

    What clients say

    “We just wanted to say thank you so much for assisting us with the sale of our property. We really appreciated the time you took to address any concerns that we had, and your speedy approach to the transaction. You did a great job.” “I was impressed with the care and attention provided in dealing with my house purchase. You were helpful and efficient at all times.” “It’s sometimes hard to find a solicitor who will be excellent through an entire process. Will and Berry & Lamberts were! I felt totally confident in your work through everything – so thank you very much!” “It was easy to make initial contact and Will was the most personable of the lawyers I contacted. He was happy to explain matters clearly and concisely and act efficiently and swiftly!” " Thank you for being brilliant throughout this process. You have far surpassed any other solicitor we have ever worked with in terms of your expertise, diligence, efficiency, thoroughness and demeanour." "I cannot recommend improvements. All the worry that usually surrounds the sale of a house was eliminated and everything was conducted smoothly. What more could we ask?" "Excellent all round service that I cannot fault." "Impressed with service- professional, hard working and readily available."

    Other

    Will supports West Ham United FC and has been a season ticket holder for many years. He also enjoys running, cycling and watching cricket. Will has taken part in several sporting events for charity including running the London and Edinburgh Marathons and cycling from London to Paris. Will also enjoys spending time with his family and is a life member of the National Trust.

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    Paul has been a qualified solicitor for 18 years and has spent the entirety of that time in the Commercial and Dispute Resolution department. Paul advises businesses in ownership disputes, contract disputes with suppliers and customers, employment disputes and preparing commercial contracts.

    Paul is also a specialist in Landlord and Tenant/Social Housing law and acts for Housing Associations, Private Landlords and Tenants. He deals with drafting tenancy agreements, possession actions, disrepair problems, issues involving anti-social behaviour and succession issues. Paul also deals with all types of property disputes including ownership disputes, boundary disputes, issues regarding rights of way and party walls. He has recently acted for a couple in a boundary dispute case which received coverage in the national press.

    Paul’s aim is to achieve the best result for the client for the least expense. If this outcome cannot be achieved through negotiation then Paul is able to fully prepare and assist clients in contested Court hearings.

    His recent cases include acting for a local business involved in a £14 million fraud and successfully negotiating a settlement, advising two company directors in a dispute with their co-directors upon the failing of a business and acting for a national transport manufacturer in a dispute with a customer.

  • Expertise

    • Property Disputes
    • Business Disputes
    • Contract Disputes
    • Landlord and Tenant
    • Housing Management
    • Employment Law
    • General Litigation

    What clients say

    “Paul is a first class professional with excellent communication skills which he brings to bear to explain complex legal terms to enable quality business decisions. He has a strong business acumen and is genuinely interested in helping clients find solutions.” “A local specialist in landlord and tenant law who has proved very useful for both landlords and tenants of mine who need advice in this respect.” “Paul is great to deal with because he quickly grasps the legal issues involved and gathers together all the relevant evidence. He then presents the case to the judge in a comprehensive straightforward and organised way. But what I really like about working with Paul is that he’s approachable, sensible and fun.” “I would just like to say a massive thank you for your help with the case. Now we have the Injunction in place, the residents are empowered and it seems that things have improved.” “I appreciate the hard work you had to put in for this case. I know you went above and beyond and I am grateful.” "Paul Reader is an excellent litigation solicitor who we felt gave us the confidence to win our case."

    Other

    Paul is a keen guitarist and skier. He enjoys spending time with his family, going to live music events and also plays basketball.