What Is Commercial Property?

Commercial Property law involves the sale and purchase of commercial property. Robinson Ravani & Co Solicitors handles all types of property ranging from offices to warehouses and retail space. Whether you are purchasing or selling commercial property for investment purposes, our specialist solicitors can advise you in areas including, Mergers and Acquisitions involving asset management.

How we can help? When you choose Robinson Ravani & Co Solicitors, a specialist solicitor will be appointed to your case to guide you through the conveyancing process. They will then make sure that you are kept updated at each milestone and ensure that your legal needs are met. We offer clients a cost-effective service without the loss of quality or guidance when required. Robinson Ravani & Co Solicitors seeks to forge partnerships with clients and to provide specialist support from our expert team of solicitors. Our select team of specialist conveyancing solicitors are committed to ensuring that your conveyancing process runs as smoothly as possible.

Do I Need Planning Permission for Change of Use?

When negotiating a lease or buying a property it is key that owners and tenants look at whether planning permission is needed. Planning rules are not always straightforward and change regularly. By contacting our team we can advise you on whether you need to apply for planning permission or begin the application process for you.

Planning permission is not required when both the present and proposed uses fall within the same use classes, for example, if a coffee shop becomes a restaurant.

You will need planning permission to change from one use class to another, although there are exceptions. Failure to obtain necessary permissions can incur substantial fines and impact on business.

A material change in the use of buildings or land is considered development and planning permission is required.

Commercial Categories

It can be difficult to know where to invest and under which category your property falls. Robinson Ravani & Co seeks to clarify the Use Classes system for your benefit. The types of property along with the specifics of what places them in that category, are listed below:

Class A

A1 Shops and Retail Establishments Such As:

• Retail warehouses, travel and ticket agents and showrooms.

• Hairdressers, dry cleaners and domestic hire shops.

• Undertakers and funeral directors.

• Sandwich bars and cafes.

A2 Financial Services:

• Banks and building societies.

• Professional services:

• Estate and employment agencies.

• Note: This excludes health and medical services and also does not include pay day loan shops and betting offices which are classed as “sui generis” uses.

A3 Establishments Selling Food and Drink To Be Consumed on the Premises:

• Restaurants and snack bars.

• Cafes.

Class B

B1 Business:

• Offices which do not fall under category A2, used for:

• The research and development of products and processes.

• Light industry appropriate in a residential area.

B2 General Industrial:

• Premises used for industrial processes which do not fall under class B1.

• This excludes those used for incineration purposes, chemical treatment or landfill or hazardous waste.

B8:

• Storage, including open air storage.

• Distribution.

Class C

C1 Hotels:

• Hotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant elements of care are provided.

• This excludes hostels.

C2 Residential Institutions:

• Secure residences such as prisons, a young offender’s institution and a custody centre.

• A detention centre and a short holding centre.

• A secure hospital and secure local authority accommodation.

• A secure training centre or residence used as a military barracks.

C3 Dwelling-houses:

C3 (a): Residence used by:

• A single person or a family:

• A couple, married or unmarried.

• A relative of one party being considered family to their relatives’ partner, e.g mother in law. An employer and domestic employees, e.g. an au pair, nanny or gardener.

• A carer and the person receiving care.

• A foster parent and a foster child.

C3 (b) Residence Which Is:

• Inhabited by up to six people, all of whom receive care, e.g supported housing schemes for those with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

C3 (c) Groups of Up to Six People in the Same Household:

• A small religious community.

• A homeowner living with a lodger.

C4 Multiple Occupation:

• Small shared houses with shared amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

• Occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals.

Class D

D1 Non-Residential Institutions:

• Clinics and health centres.

• Creches, day nurseries, schools, day centres and non-residential education and training centres.

• Art galleries not for sale or hire, museums, libraries and halls.

• Places of worship, church halls and law courts.

D2 Assembly and Leisure:

• Cinemas and music and concert halls.

• Bingo and dance halls, excluding night clubs.

• Swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums.

• Places for indoor and outdoor sports excluding motor sports and firearm usage.

Sui Generis – Other Specific Properties:

• Betting offices and shops, pay day loan shops.

• Theatres and larger houses in multiple occupation.

• Hostels which do not provide care.

• Petrol stations, scrap yards and shops selling or displaying motor vehicles.

• Retail warehouse clubs, nightclubs and casinos.

• Laundrettes and taxi businesses.

Why Choose Us?

With a team of experts with decades of experience we are equipped to assist you on a multitude of real estate matters. Our vast expertise mean that we can guide you through every stage of an acquisition whether your concerns involve acquisition of a property, planning, construction and development or disposal, to name a few.

Such transactions are fast-paced and often have high stakes and for this reason we provide pragmatic legal and strategic advice for you to secure your deal at a price that is right for you and with no unpleasant surprises. Our client-base has given us experience in advising developers, entrepreneurs, high-net individuals, tenants and landlords by adopting a proactive and innovative approach to provide an efficient and professional service.

We are committed to providing both the local and wider community with an approachable service that acknowledges the unique challenges that each location faces. Our diverse team have a wealth of knowledge within these markets which will put you ahead of the competition.

We understand that no two transactions are the same and provide bespoke advice tailored to your specific concerns regardless of the complexity of your case. We work closely with our litigation and corporate departments to provide you with a complete service that avoids the difficulties in finding a specialist within these areas.

Robinson Ravani’s overarching aim is to provide you with a complete service, free of complex legal jargon, hidden expenses or unnecessary delay.

If you would like more advice, please feel free to speak in confidence with our Solicitors in Chadwell Heath Romford, London Borough of Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham by calling 0208 548 9402 or emailing admin@robinsonravani.com.

Contact Us

We can help. Whether you have questions or would like to instruct a solicitor please feel free to speak in confidence to one of our team.

Commercial Property Services

• Section 24: The Tenant Tax

• Bridging Finance Law

• Commercial Lease Extensions

• Planning and the Law

• Assignment of a Lease

• Landlord and Tenant Law

• Commercial Mortgages for Re-Financing

• Commercial Sales and Purchases

• Granting of Leases

• Landlord and Tenant Work

• Licenses To Assign

• Licences to Underlet

• Licences for Alteration

Services We Provide

• Buying and Selling Property

• Disputes and Resolutions

• Power of Attorney

• Will’s, Probate and Trusts

• Immigration

• Property Litigation

• Business and Corporate Law

• Divorce and Child Contact

• Family Law