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For many businesses, securing the right commercial property is a crucial step towards success. Whether you're looking to buy your first premises or expand your portfolio, the process can feel complex and convoluted. The expertise of our commercial property solicitors can ease this stress, ensuring you are fully informed throughout.
At T G Baynes, our team has years of experience guiding businesses and investors through every stage of buying commercial property. We understand the challenges that can arise and are here to provide clear, practical advice to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
Our commercial property services cover everything from negotiating contracts and conducting due diligence to handling lease agreements and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Whatever your plans, we will help you secure the right property with confidence.
Our commercial property team can provide support for matters including:
- Legal due diligence
- Drafting and reviewing contracts
- Searches and enquiries
- Stamp Duty Land Tax advice
- Completion and post-completion matters
Contact our commercial conveyancing solicitors in Bexleyheath, Dartford and Orpington
To speak to one of T G Baynes’s expert commercial conveyancing team in Orpington, Dartford and Bexleyheath, or to arrange an initial consultation, please fill in our simple enquiry form or call 020 8301 7777.
Why work with our commercial conveyancing solicitors?
Our commercial conveyancing solicitors have comprehensive experience in completing even the most complex commercial property transactions. We’re dedicated to protecting your business interests at every stage of the conveyancing journey.
Our buying commercial property services
Legal due diligence
Whether you're buying a new commercial premises or expanding your property portfolio, we’ll carry out thorough legal due diligence to identify any risks before you commit. From title checks to hidden liabilities, we’ll ensure you have a clear picture of the property’s legal standing.
Drafting and reviewing contracts
Our team can draft and review contracts with precision. We'll negotiate terms that protect your interests and flag anything that could create complications later on. When you work with us, our goal is to always protect your best interests.
Searches and enquiries
Our team will handle the enquiries that uncover vital information, including drainage and environmental checks and local authority searches. Our proactive approach means we’ll raise the right questions early on and resolve any concerns before they cause delays.
Stamp Duty Land Tax advice
We’ll guide you through your Stamp Duty Land Tax obligations and make sure nothing is missed. From calculating what’s due to submitting the correct forms, we’ll take care of the detail, so you don’t face penalties or delays.
Completion and post-completion matters
When it's time to complete, we’ll coordinate all final checks and transfers to ensure a smooth handover. After completion, we’ll handle Land Registry submissions, stamp duty filings, and anything else required to finalise your purchase
Our conveyancing solicitors’ fees
We appreciate the importance of total transparency when choosing a conveyancing solicitor, especially when the future of your business is at stake. Our commercial property solicitors are completely transparent about our fees, as well as any third-party costs that may be incurred throughout the process.
Please contact us to obtain a costs estimate for your matter from one of our expert commercial property solicitors.
Buying Commercial Property FAQs
How to buy a commercial property?
Buying a commercial property involves several key steps, starting with identifying the right premises for your needs. You'll need to consider factors such as location, size, and suitability for your business or investment goals.
Once you've found the right property, you’ll make an offer, which, if accepted, leads to the legal process of transferring ownership. This involves negotiating a commercial property purchase agreement, conducting due diligence (such as property searches and surveys), and ensuring your transaction is financially viable.
If you’re buying commercial property through a limited company, additional considerations such as tax implications and structuring the ownership correctly will come into play.
What are the key legal steps in buying commercial property?
When you buy a commercial property, the legal process involves several important stages:
- Heads of Terms – An initial, non-binding agreement outlining the key details of the transaction.
- Due Diligence – Your solicitor will conduct property searches, review title deeds, check for planning restrictions, and ensure there are no legal issues affecting the property.
- Commercial Property Purchase Agreement – A formal contract setting out the terms and conditions of the sale.
- Financing and Mortgage Arrangements – If applicable, arranging commercial finance and ensuring the lender's conditions are met.
- Exchange of Contracts – Once both parties sign the contract, the sale becomes legally binding.
- Completion – The final step where the property is officially transferred to you, and funds are exchanged.
- Post-Completion Formalities – This includes paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (if applicable) and registering the property with the Land Registry.
Each of these steps is crucial to ensuring that your commercial property purchase is legally sound and free from unexpected issues.
How long does it take to buy a commercial property?
On average, the commercial property purchase process takes between 6 to 12 weeks between the offer acceptance and completion. However, the timeline for buying commercial property varies depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the transaction, the speed of negotiations, and whether financing is required.
What costs are involved in purchasing commercial property?
When you buy commercial property, it’s important to be aware costs go beyond just the purchase price. Some key expenses include:
- Deposit – Approximately 10% of the property price, payable upon exchange of contracts.
- Solicitor’s Fees – Legal costs for handling the transaction, including due diligence and drafting contracts.
- Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) – Payable on properties above a certain threshold, with rates depending on the purchase price.
- Land Registry Fees – Charges for registering the property in your name.
- Survey Costs – A structural survey to assess the property's condition.
- Mortgage Fees – If you are financing the purchase, costs may include arrangement fees, valuation fees, and interest payments.
- VAT – Some properties are subject to VAT, which can impact overall costs.
Understanding these costs upfront helps avoid unexpected expenses and ensures your commercial property purchase remains within budget.
What searches should be conducted before buying?
Before completing a commercial property purchase, you should instruct a skilled commercial conveyancing solicitor to carry out several essential searches:
- Local Authority Search – Checks for planning restrictions, building regulations compliance, and future development plans.
- Environmental Search – Identifies contamination risks, flood risks, and land stability issues.
- Title Search – Confirms the seller’s legal ownership and any restrictions or rights affecting the property.
- Water and Drainage Search – Ensures proper drainage connections and identifies any liabilities.
If you’re buying a leasehold commercial property, additional lease-specific checks will be required, such as reviewing the lease terms, service charges, and landlord obligations. The buyer’s failure to conduct thorough searches is one of the key pitfalls of buying commercial property, as hidden issues can result in costly disputes later on.
What are my legal obligations as a commercial property owner?
As a commercial property owner, you have several legal responsibilities, which vary depending on whether you buy commercial property for investment, owner-occupation, or leasing to tenants. Key obligations include:
- Health & Safety Compliance – Ensuring the building meets safety regulations, including fire safety and asbestos management.
- Landlord Responsibilities – If you’re buying a commercial property with existing tenants, you’ll inherit obligations under the lease, such as maintenance duties and rent collection.
- Business Rates – Commercial property owners are typically liable for business rates unless the tenant is responsible under the lease terms.
- Insurance – You must arrange adequate building insurance to protect against damage, liability claims, and loss of rental income.
- Planning and Usage Restrictions – Ensuring the property is used in accordance with planning permissions and zoning regulations.
Understanding your obligations from the outset ensures your commercial property purchase is always legally compliant , helping to avoid potential penalties or disputes.
Speak to our commercial conveyancing solicitors in Bexleyheath, Dartford and Orpington
To speak to one of T G Baynes’s expert commercial conveyancing team in Orpington, Dartford and Bexleyheath, or to arrange an initial consultation, please fill in our simple enquiry form or call 020 8301 7777.