Residential Property

Sales and purchases

We advise on all aspects of leasehold and freehold residential property acquisitions and disposals, from high value sales and purchases to new-build purchases and sales and portfolio transactions.

We have extensive experience across Prime Central London, Greater London and key residential markets, including:

• Mayfair
• Kensington & Chelsea
• Chelsea
• Notting Hill
• Camden
• Hampstead
• Islington
• South West and North London

Our Rural Property Group handles rural property across England and Wales from our London, Oxford and Cambridge offices.  We specialise in country houses, farms, estates, equestrian property, renewables, development land, Natural Capital and environmental projects, and rural commercial property portfolios. 

Construction

Our Construction team specialises in all legal aspects of complex, high-profile construction projects, acting for a broad range of clients, including major developers, banks, property investors, asset managers, investment managers and occupiers.

We have assembled a team with a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious experience. We go to great lengths to understand our clients’ needs and objectives and always tailor our advice accordingly. This adds up to an approach that is highly commercial and singularly focused on delivering the best outcomes for our clients.

Landed Estates

Our Estates Group looks after some of the largest estates in the country, working from our London, Oxford and Cambridge offices.

We stand apart from other law firms in this space, being capable of providing a genuinely full service to landed clients.  Like others, we have exceptional private client and rural property teams. Unlike others, we have expertise to handle the full range of risks and challenges that modern estates face and identify opportunities for them, making our Landed Estates offering unique.

Lease extensions

Lease extensions often involve significant financial and strategic considerations. Our specialist lawyers advise leaseholders, freeholders and investors on the full spectrum of leasehold rights and the lease extension process.

We act on statutory and voluntary lease extensions and related leasehold restructuring arrangements. Working alongside leading valuation experts where required, we help clients navigate technical legal and valuation issues, manage negotiations effectively and protect the long-term value of their leasehold property.

Planning and Environment

Our planning and environmental group helps developers, occupiers, investors and public sector bodies to manage increasingly complex legislation and regulatory policy across a broad spectrum of strategic matters. Our work covers both public and private sector projects, all asset classes including mixed-use projects.

Our team’s range of specialisms means we are uniquely placed to advise on large development schemes and complex planning issues. We also act for high net worth individuals on high-profile matters including basement development applications.

Real Estate Finance

Our specialist team of real estate finance lawyers advises on how to structure financing, either to provide maximum security for you, as the lender, or maximum certainty as the borrower. We work with major banks and other leading property lenders, on a senior and mezzanine basis, as well as advising some of the industry’s highest profile property investment and development borrowers.

We have engaged with a new wave of real estate investors and funders who are emerging as key players in the property market. Consequently, we know how to look beyond the traditional areas of property finance and to embrace new technology in an ever-changing banking market.

Real Estate Tax

Our team of real estate tax lawyers advise on all aspects of property investment, development, finance and funds work.

Our clients include institutional clients, listed property companies, developers, local authorities and charities – both UK resident and non-UK resident. We advise on both direct and indirect taxes, including Stamp Duty Land Tax, VAT and business rates.

Property Litigation

Our Property Litigation Group has earned a reputation as one of London's largest and best specialist teams. Unlike other leading firms, we are equally at home advising high net worth individuals as we are leading UK property companies, developers, corporate occupiers, and investment funds. The property litigation lawyers in our team regularly participate in court and trial work, including in the Appeal Courts.

Recognised as assertive, highly skilled litigators, our team are also renowned negotiators, regularly conducting mediations, arbitrations and other dispute resolution alternatives. However, where litigation is inevitable we pursue your case with vigour and commercialism in equal measure.

New-build and off-plan purchases and sales

Our team is recognised for advising on the acquisition and disposal of high-value new-build and off-plan properties, including properties within some of the most sought-after developments in Prime Central London and across the UK.

We combine market-leading residential conveyancing expertise with immediate access to specialist planning and construction lawyers, providing clients with a seamless, multidisciplinary service throughout the lifecycle of a development. This integrated approach enables us to advise on complex development documentation, planning matters, construction issues, building warranties, estate arrangements and other considerations unique to new-build transactions.

We act for purchasers, investors and developers, delivering strategic, commercially focused advice from reservation and exchange through to completion and post-completion matters. For developers, we offer a comprehensive service, including the preparation of sales documentation, transaction management through to completion and handover of the development.

Landlord and Tenant matters

The acquisition and disposal of buy-to-let property requires more than standard conveyancing. Our team advises landlords, investors and property owners on the legal and commercial issues that arise when dealing with tenanted residential assets.

We provide comprehensive advice on tenancy arrangements, occupiers' rights, deposit protection requirements, licensing issues, regulatory compliance and the transfer of investment properties with existing tenants in situ.

With the private rented sector undergoing significant reform, including the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act and related changes to landlord obligations, our lawyers help clients understand and manage the risks associated with residential investment property ownership. Drawing on expertise across our real estate practice, we provide strategic advice designed to protect and enhance the value of our clients' investments.