Question 1

What do Athi Law's commercial conveyancing solicitors do for my business?

Accepted Answer

Our commercial conveyancing solicitors manage the legal side of buying, selling or leasing business premises. We investigate the title, carry out searches, raise enquiries with the other side, negotiate contract or lease terms and guide you through exchange and completion, so you understand your risks and obligations before you commit.We act for owners, investors, landlords and tenants, and our work covers offices, retail spaces and industrial units on both a freehold and leasehold basis. Your matter is handled by a dedicated team that keeps the process clear and the paperwork organised. Business property involves lenders, HM Land Registry and tax rules, so having a solicitor protects you from costly errors. After completion, the change of ownership is registered with HM Land Registry. You can read client feedback on our testimonials page, including praise for Ravi Talwar's service on commercial and residential property matters.

Question 2

Which types of business property can your commercial conveyancing solicitors help with?

Accepted Answer

We act on a wide range of business premises, including offices, retail spaces and industrial units. Our commercial conveyancing solicitors can handle freehold and leasehold purchases and sales, as well as new leases and landlord and tenant agreements, for owner occupiers, investors, landlords and tenants.If your business needs a premises licence, we can also advise on licensing of premises. If the property has both business and residential parts, such as a shop with a flat above, tell us early because this can affect tax, lender requirements and the checks we recommend. Landlord and tenant agreements are part of our commercial work, so we can help whether you are taking premises or letting them out. If you are not sure whether your property counts as commercial, ask us before you instruct anyone, as the answer changes the legal work involved.

Question 3

How is commercial conveyancing different from residential conveyancing?

Accepted Answer

Commercial conveyancing involves more complex documents, wider checks and different tax rules than a home purchase. Leases, planning and permitted use, environmental issues and lender requirements often play a bigger role, and the financial stakes are usually higher, which is why business property deserves specialist attention.In a commercial purchase the buyer is largely responsible for finding out what they are buying, so careful due diligence matters. Leases can include rent review, repair and service charge terms, and questions about whether a tenant can renew at the end of the term. A commercial buyer may also need to think about VAT on the price, business rates and the use the property can lawfully be put to. Standard commercial property enquiries replace the forms used in home sales, and the tax position is different. If you are moving house rather than business premises, our residential conveyancing team can help you instead.

Question 4

What stages will commercial conveyancing solicitors take me through?

Accepted Answer

A typical transaction starts with agreed heads of terms and your instruction, followed by the draft contract, title review, searches and enquiries. Once you are satisfied, contracts are exchanged and both sides become legally committed. Completion follows, when funds transfer and you receive the keys, then registration and any tax filings.Along the way, your solicitor reports on what has been found, negotiates changes to the contract or lease and, where a lender is involved, deals with their requirements. If a loan is secured against the property, the lender's charge may need registering, and for a company this can include Companies House. Stamp duty land tax is usually paid by the buyer, with the return and payment due within 14 days of the effective date of the transaction. Keeping your solicitor updated on funding, timing and any changes to your plans helps every stage run smoothly, so tell us promptly if your timetable, funding or intended use of the premises changes.

Question 5

What checks do commercial conveyancing solicitors carry out before I buy?

Accepted Answer

Before you commit, commercial conveyancing solicitors review the title, order property searches and put enquiries to the seller. Typical searches cover the local authority, drainage and water, and environmental risks. The aim is to uncover issues affecting ownership, use, value or running costs before you exchange contracts.Sellers answer Commercial Property Standard Enquiries, known as CPSEs, which are the standard forms used in business property transactions, and follow up questions often arise once the replies, title and search results are compared. We also look at planning history and permitted use, restrictions on the title, rights of way and any disputes affecting the site. Much of South Yorkshire and Derbyshire has a coal mining history, so a coal mining search is often part of the picture. We explain what each result means for your business in plain English and whether it needs action before exchange. Raising problems before exchange gives you room to negotiate, change course or walk away.

Question 6

How long do commercial conveyancing solicitors take to complete a purchase or sale?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed timescale because every commercial transaction is different. A straightforward freehold sale can move quickly, while leasehold deals, lender funding, complex titles or slow search results take longer. Once Athi Law has reviewed your documents, we can explain what to expect for your particular transaction.Common causes of delay include slow replies to enquiries, missing title documents or lease paperwork, planning or consent issues and finance that is not ready. Councils return searches at different speeds, which can also affect the timetable. You can help by giving your solicitor the information they ask for promptly, agreeing heads of terms before you instruct and arranging funding early. Avoid committing to firm dates, such as a lease expiry, a staff move or an opening day, until contracts are exchanged and your solicitor confirms the dates are realistic. Tell us about any hard deadlines at the start and we will say honestly whether they look achievable.

Question 7

How much stamp duty will my business pay on a commercial property purchase?

Accepted Answer

In England, stamp duty land tax on non-residential property is 0% on the first £150,000, 2% on the portion from £150,001 to £250,000 and 5% on anything above £250,000. For example, a freehold purchase at £275,000 would attract £3,250. Always check current rates on GOV.UK before you complete.Mixed use properties are taxed at these non-residential rates, as is a purchase of 6 or more residential properties in 1 transaction. If VAT applies to the price, stamp duty is generally calculated on the VAT inclusive amount, so it is worth finding out the VAT position early. New leases work differently, with tax potentially payable on both any premium and the net present value of the rent. Properties in Wales and Scotland are subject to different taxes. We can explain the position for your transaction and arrange the return and payment where stamp duty applies.

Question 8

How much do commercial conveyancing solicitors charge?

Accepted Answer

Fees vary with the value and complexity of the transaction, whether the property is freehold or leasehold, the lease terms involved and whether a lender is acting. Alongside legal fees, expect costs such as search fees, Land Registry fees and any stamp duty. Contact Athi Law with the details of your transaction to discuss our fees.Disbursements are third party costs paid on your behalf, and the cost of searches can vary widely depending on the size of the land and how it is used. Legal fees are normally subject to VAT. When comparing quotes, ask for a breakdown of fees and disbursements in writing and check what is included, including what happens to costs if the deal does not go ahead. The lowest fee is not always the best value if it leaves out work you will need later. Ask us what is and is not included before you instruct, so there are no surprises.

Question 9

What should I prepare before instructing commercial conveyancing solicitors?

Accepted Answer

Gather the agreed heads of terms, details of the property and the other party and your funding arrangements. You will also need to provide identification, plus company details and ownership information if a business is buying, because solicitors must carry out money laundering checks. Early preparation helps your commercial conveyancing solicitors move quickly.Sellers can help by locating title documents, existing leases, planning permissions and certificates, and details of any tenants, rent and service charge. Buyers should line up a lender early if they are borrowing and think about how they will use the property, so permitted use and licensing questions are checked from the start. Having these ready at the outset avoids delays later. Payment fraud is a real risk in property transactions, so always confirm our bank details by phone, using a number you trust, before transferring any money. When you are ready, contact us to talk through your plans.

Commercial Conveyancing Solicitor

Sheffield's top-rated commercial conveyancer, Athi Law, can help you navigate and secure your business property transactions in the UK.

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