Commercial Property

Expert Legal Advice for All Commercial Property Transactions

Strategic, proactive and expert: just some of the reasons we are considered one of the foremost
commercial property teams in Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands.

If you are a business owner, investor, landlord, tenant or broker dealing with any commercial
property transaction or difficulty, you are in a safe pair of hands with ORJ.

With outstanding service as standard, our friendly team offers efficient, expert legal advice at every stage, whether you are buying or selling commercial property or land. You can rely on our team’s breadth of knowledge to help navigate you through the complexities of every stage of the process.

Why Choose ORJ as Your Commercial Property Solicitor?

Our highly motivated team comprise experts in all legal aspects of commercial property, making us
the go-to firm for many businesses like yours.

We know business and will work closely with you from the outset to understand your needs. You will
receive a first-class service from a talented team that has exceptional problem-solving skills,
providing you with strategic advice to navigate any legal challenges that may arise.

We speak your language and that means clear and effective communication at all times. No complex
legal jargon, just plain English.

Our clients know they can rely on us to be proactive and that we will work efficiently to complete
transactions effectively and efficiently.

What Do We Do?

Our experienced lawyers are noted for their breadth of expertise across all aspects of commercial
property, including:

• Lease, purchase, sale, development
• Due diligence
• Drafting and negotiating contracts
• Lease agreements
• Managing risk
• Resolving disputes
• Tax and financial planning
• Complex transactions

We are particularly proud of our expertise of the agriculture sector and have helped to protect the
financial and legal interests of hundreds of farms and farming families. 

Our expert conveyancing team also provides a broad base of legal expertise in areas such as:

• Continual lease extensions
• Renewals
• Acquisitions
• Disposals
• Advice on environmental or contamination issues as part of a bigger commercial picture.

Who Do We Work With?

Our commercial property team have a wealth of experience across this highly specialised sector and
we are proud to represent a huge array of businesses, such as:

• Property divisions of several large multinationals and PLCs.
• Small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
• Clients in a range of industry sectors including: manufacturing, automotive, hospitality, housing associations, industrial estates (from whole estates to individual units), retirement homes.
• Property work related to pension schemes.
• Property brokers.
• Property investors and developers.
• Landlords and tenants.

We offer a fully joined-up service for many of our clients. This means our commercial team will work
closely with colleagues in our commercial, corporate and insolvency departments to ensure business
transactions are dealt with smoothly and efficiently.

Buying and Selling Commercial Property

If you are buying or selling a commercial property, you need a dedicated legal expert who can help
you to navigate the complexities.

Transactions such as these can involve complications such as intricate lease agreements or
environmental regulations, and we may also need to consider planning permissions.

If you are buying a commercial property:

• Ensure the seller has a clear title to the property.
• Make sure property complies with building codes and safety regulations.
• Review and scrutinise all contracts and agreements, including financing and loan agreements.
• Put in place a dispute resolution mechanism to deal with any potential disagreements, such as mediation or arbitration clauses.
• Ensure the transfer of title is completed properly.

Our expert legal team is on hand to deal with all these and more, ensuring an efficient transaction
and the avoidance of costly mistakes.

Read our Own a Commercial Property guide for more details.

Advice for Landlords Negotiating a Commercial Property Lease

Every business has different requirements when it comes to leasing a commercial property, so it is
essential you seek the advice of an expert legal professional to help guide you through this complex
legal maze.

A generic lease will not cover everything you need and it can also result in unwanted disputes
between the landlord and the tenant.

Lease agreements must be clear and legally sound and our knowledgeable team of commercial
property solicitors will make sure all the Is are dotted and Ts crossed.

Agreements must include:

• The type of lease
• Monthly rent amount
• Due date for payment
• Acceptable payment method
• Security deposit conditions
• Break clauses
• Renewal and termination clauses.

Landlords must make it clear to tenants who is responsible for which repairs and maintenance and
who is expected to pay utilities and any other charges.

You should also cover permitted uses of the property and your right to enter the property for
inspection.

Advice for Tenants taking on a Commercial Property Lease

If you are thinking of taking on a commercial property lease, you must take expert legal advice to
protect your interests as a tenant.

Our commercial property team will guide you to ensure you understand the legal requirements of
the lease and your ongoing obligations, ensuring your have the best outcome for you and your
business.

A commercial property lease sets out the terms and conditions under which a landlord lets out its
property to a tenant. Some of the things you need to consider are:

• Rent, payment schedules, and any rent reviews – we will make sure the proposed rent is fair
  for the location and will look at other considerations, such as a rent-free period.
• Break clauses – these enable tenants to terminate the lease early if necessary. It is essential
  you understand any conditions attached to a break clause because you could be subject to
  hefty penalties if you terminate your lease before it expires.
• Repairs and maintenance – you must be aware of their responsibilities for repairs and
  maintenance. You should always establish who is responsible for each aspect of the property
  when agreeing a lease – particularly if it’s an older building – or you could face huge repair
  bills. We can negotiate fair terms and clear up any ambiguities.
• Hidden charges. Some leases can include hidden charges, unexpected rent hikes or severe
  punishments for late payment.
• Permitted use – you must ensure the lease allows you to use the premises for your business
  activities. We will also check to ensure there are no restrictions that could prevent you from
  carrying out your normal day-to-day business.