Commercial Property

Our expert Commercial Property Team offers specialist advice on all aspects of commercial property, and currently represents several local builders and developers as well as many landlords.

Introduction

Our Commercial Property Team offers specialist advice on all aspects of commercial property, and currently represents several local builders and developers as well as many landlords. Our work involves advising and assisting with the following:-

sale and purchase of land for development
planning law
sales and purchase of building plots
joint ventures
conditional contracts and options
commercial leases
domestic leases and tenancies
agricultural leases
dilapidations
licences
rent reviews

Our Approach

We do not adopt a ‘one size fits all approach’ since we recognise that every individual and each business requires specialist advice tailored to their own specific needs. We are committed to assisting you with every aspect of your business needs.

Costs

We are confident that the costs we charge for our services are extremely competitive. We will be happy to give you an indication of the likely costs to be incurred in your matter.

Proof of Funds

In order to comply with our regulatory obligations, we are required to obtain from you proof of funds whether that be for your deposit or as a cash buyer. Proving your source of funds for your target property is the most important task in the conveyancing process, without which, your purchase cannot proceed. There are large sums of money changing hands in the conveyancing sector making this an area of law heavily attacked by fraudsters.

We cannot by law proceed without knowing the source of your funds. This is to limit the potential for fraud, protecting the solicitor, the legal sector and most importantly, the buyer. For sellers who unknowingly receive the proceeds of crime, the risk is also high given that those funds could be seized at any time, leaving them without the property or the proceeds thereof.

The challenge for you as the buyer, is that solicitors have varying protocols in respect of Anti-Money Laundering Checks regarding proving the source of your funds. Please understand that we have to do these checks in order to receive the money and as that you work with us, providing as much information as possible.

We use a company called Armalytix to conduct your digital source of funds and account verification check, as we believe this is the safest, most efficient way for you to satisfy this step of the purchase process. This will save you the time and effort that it would usually take, collating bank statements manually and give you the peace of mind that you don't have to email them to us. The charge for this service is £18.00 per person (including VAT).

Here to Help

David Hicken LLB

David is the Head of the Commercial Property Team, and has advised local developers and builders for many years regarding the sale and purchase of land for development amongst other things.

Telephone 01775 722261 or Email: david.hicken@maplessolicitors.com

James Turner BA

James is the Firm’s “commercial leases” expert, acting for both landlords and tenants.

Telephone 01775 722261 or Email: james.turner@maplessolicitors.com

Stamp Duty Changes from 1st April 2025

In accordance with Government Announcement on the 30th October 2024 from 1st April 2025, there will be several changes coming into effect.
Please note if you complete after 1 April 2025 then these changes could impact the stamp duty rate applicable to you even if you have exchanged contracts already.

Thresholds up to 31 March 2025

SDLT starts to apply when you buy property that costs:
- £250,000 for residential properties
- £425,000 for first-time buyers buying a residential property worth £625,000 or less
- £150,000 for non-residential land and properties

Thresholds from 1 April 2025

SDLT starts to apply when you buy property that costs:
- £125,000 for residential properties
- £300,000 for first-time buyers buying a residential property worth £500,000 or less
- £150,000 for non-residential land and properties

You can visit the gov.uk website and search Stamp Duty Land Tax where you will find further information and a calculator to enable you to calculate the rate and amount payable.

To discuss any Conveyancing matters please contact either Donna Sandison or Laura Day of our Conveyancing Team or telephone the office 01775 722261.

Jamie Dobbs FCILEx

"I should like to take this opportunity to express my very sincere and grateful thanks for Jamie's unfailing helpfulness and efficiency in all aspects of the handling of my late stepmother's estate. Jamie have always replied to my (many!) queries promptly and comprehensively which has been a enormous help throughout what I know can be a fraught and stressful process. Sadly, it is increasingly rare these days to experience the highs standards of service that Jamie has provided."

Gemma Mayer LLB

"I would highly recommend Maples Solicitors, especially Gemma Mayer, for any conveyancing work. The level of support and professionalism was excellent at all times. I also felt if I needed to ask or clarify anything that it was not an issue. Buying and selling a house is stressful enough, but Gemma helped me through it step by step."

Anita Toal LLB BA

"I think you are brilliant. You can use my comments above. You are efficient, friendly and quite clearly very good at what you do. Mainly you don’t leave people hanging around too long for." "So easy to talk to her and she understood what I wanted. She put me at ease and I cant thank her enough"

James Turner BA

James Turner was extremely helpful with our buying process. Everything went smoothly. We are very happy with the level of professionalism demonstrated by the office. Highly recommended solicitors. Will definitely do business with them again.

Daven Naghen LLB

"Daven provided an excellent service, from attending the first interview with me to the final court appearance. He filled me full of confidence that he would defend me to which he did and come out with an excellent outcome in view of my position that I had put myself in."

Faye Blair LLB

Faye was excellent, sensitive and acted very well to the time constraints we faced. Great service and dealt with compassion at such sad times made the process less painful very professional.

Jamie Dobbs GCILEx

Over the last forty years I have cause to deal with many law firms both in a personal and professional capacity, including some ‘top’ London Companies. In all of those dealings I have never found anyone as proactive and so willing to offer help and advice as Jamie Dobbs. During the last two years Jamie guided my parents through the completion of Lasting Powers of Attorney. Helped myself with the use of the LPA and recently dealing with Probate and Estate Administration following their death.

Mike Pepper MA

Mike Pepper gave us excellent advice. He was always most helpful and accommodating giving lucid explanations every step of the way. Thank you Mike.

Donna Sandison FCILEx

Donna has been helpful and professional every step of the way during the process. Always on hand to answer any queries and totally professional and friendly at all times.

Commercial Property