Property Development Solicitors

Understanding property development

Every development site has issues and challenges, but if you’re developing in London where space is often limited, these can be more complex. Access arrangements, rights of light, protected panoramas, and the city’s complex planning policies can throw roadblocks in your way. Seeking legal advice early in the process helps to smooth the transaction and can assist with sales and lettings later on.

Our commercial property solicitors handle all types of development projects, from small residential estates to large-scale, mixed-use developments. We understand the complexities of this sector and work closely with our clients to find creative solutions to any problems that may arise.

Our property development services

Whether you’re a first-time developer or a seasoned professional, our solicitors offer comprehensive services to meet your needs.

Acquiring sites for development

When acquiring land for development, it is crucial to be aware of any third-party rights that could stand in the way of your development plans. We help you negotiate with others, ensuring your project can go ahead whilst managing your risks. Our site acquisition services include:

• Advising on heads of terms
• Setting up development company structures and SPVs
• Title investigations to identify restrictions which may be problematic to the development
• Drafting and negotiating contracts and other necessary documents, including deeds of easements and deeds to release covenants and restrictions
• Undertaking searches and enquiries to ascertain what services, infrastructure and utilities are available to the site
• Planning investigations
• Advising on SDLT and tax issues

Planning investigations

Planning investigations should be taken early in a development project to uncover any potential issues that may impact your development plans. We work closely with you and your architects to ensure all necessary permissions are in place and advise on any changes or challenges that may arise.

Where appropriate, we can help you negotiate an option agreement or conditional contract instead of a standard contract to purchase. This will give you certainty over the site’s ownership once the relevant permissions have been obtained.

Construction contracts

We have extensive experience in drafting, negotiating and advising on construction contracts for property developments. Our property development and construction lawyers work hand-in-hand to deliver the documents you need, including building contracts, consultants’ appointments, collateral warranties, funding agreements, performance bonds and parent company guarantees.

Infrastructure due diligence

Roads, utilities and drainage systems are crucial to the success of any development project. We can assist with due diligence on existing infrastructure and help put the right agreements in place to support your scheme.

New build development

For house builders and mixed-use developers, we can help you get a new site up and running from site acquisition through the final plot sale. Our new build service includes:

• Commercial conveyancing of land for development
• Site setup with appropriate rights over common areas and between plots
• Infrastructure agreements
• Property finance
• Seeking Land Registry approval of plot plans
• Drafting contract packs for disposals
• Plot sales and lettings
• Management solutions for the finished scheme

Property development dispute resolution

Property development is unique in the sense that developers can only realise the value of their investment when the site is sold or leased. Project schedules are often tight and disputes can add unnecessary delays to the process.

Our property litigation solicitors work collaboratively with our property development team. They can help with any disputes that arise, including through the courts should it come to it. Lengthy court proceedings are rarely the best option for developers, however. We have the expertise to guide you through quicker alternatives to help keep the development on track.

Why choose our property development solicitors?

Navigating the complexities of property development does not have to be a daunting task. With the right legal support, you can move forward in confidence and quickly tackle issues that may arise.

We represent developers, landowners and funders on all types of development projects, big and small. We have a strong track record of success for our clients, helping them realise their projects while mitigating the risks that may arise from so many moving parts.

Obviously, the majority of our work is in London and the south east. But wherever you need us, we can be available, in a way that is convenient for you. We’re recommended by the top guides to the legal profession for our service excellence and always deliver a high-quality service that is tailored to your needs.

To find out more about our commercial property finance services, either call us on 020 4502 7487 or fill out our contact form and we’ll be happy to call you back. Or visit our London offices in Camden or Hampstead to have a face-to-face meeting with our commercial property experts.