Property Department

We are the specialists for all commercial and residential conveyancing. Buying or selling your home or leasing/purchasing premises for your business is a major event in your life and can be very stressful in the wrong hands.

At Stephens & Son LLP we have years of experience and knowledge at your disposal to ensure pitfalls are avoided. We are able to work with your other approved experts such as accountants, surveyors etc. so that you will have full confidence that your aims will be met as far as possible.

Our team will treat your business as if it were their own so you know that you are in safe hands.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Our specialist team can provide you with all the advice necessary to secure your premises and assist you in developing the full potential of your assets. With a wealth of experience in this sector, we combine constructive, realistic advice with a comprehensive service covering all aspects of commercial property projects and transactions.

We can act for private or corporate land owners, property developers and builders, and charities dealing with building, buying, selling, leasing or sub-letting shops, offices, industrial and commercial premises.

Landlords and tenants

Our team deal with all aspects of property transactions for landlords and tenants, including commercial leases for retail, industrial, office premises and licensed premises. We can also draft and arrange assignments and surrender of leases and sub-letting agreements including preparation of tenancy agreements and arrangements to terminate leases.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificates

Whether you are selling or letting your property you must have a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate. We can arrange this for you so that it does not delay matters.

Buy-to-Let

If you are considering purchasing a residential property with a view to using it for buy-to-let purposes, it is vital that you take expert legal advice. When you purchase a property for renting out you are effectively starting a small business by becoming a landlord. There is much to be considered over and above the purchase of the property.

We always recommend you have a properly drawn up tenancy agreement. We will consider with you what is required and draw up your agreement.

We can advise you about meeting your legal responsibilities, such as carrying out repairs, maintaining the safe supply of gas and electricity and ensuring fire safety regulations for premises and furnishings.

We will be there to assist you with other problems such as dealing with tenants’ disputes, termination of leases (including “Notices to quit”) and, if required, recovery of unpaid rent and eviction procedures.

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Conveyancing

Whether you are buying your first home, moving property or purchasing a holiday home, a key consideration for you is to ensure that all legal requirements and processes are dealt with correctly and thoroughly, and that you are kept informed and updated on a regular basis. Price is also important, but not if “cut price” means “cutting corners”. Putting things right at a later date can prove much more expensive and even more stressful.

Our specialist team deals with all aspects of residential conveyancing, both freehold and leasehold, whether you are buying or selling a property.

We will explain everything you need to consider at the start of the process. We will explain the costs and expenses involved, such as Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), Vat, Land Registry fees and Search fees.

Residential Energy Performance Certificates

Your must have a Residential Energy Performance Certificate to give to your buyer before you exchange contracts. If you are thinking of selling your house then talk to us first and we can arrange this for you so that your sale is not delayed.

Remortgaging

Remortgaging is undertaken for a variety of reasons: switching to obtain a better deal or simply to increase the size of an existing mortgage to release funds to pay for home improvements, or other purposes. Whatever your reason for remortgaging, many of the same legal processes required to secure your original mortgage will apply on remortgaging.

An important aspect for many people is the need to complete the remortgage quickly, especially if funds are required for a specific project. Our specialists will deal with the legal requirements as quickly as possible, while ensuring that your legal position is protected.

Please contact Peter Daniels or Alan Johnston.

ped@stephens-son.co.uk, or aj@stephens-son.co.uk