Property Investment

Our Real Estate Investment team advises on both large and small investment transactions. We have the capacity and expertise to advise investors with large multi-let portfolios but can also assist clients who are new to the investment market or who simply wish to purchase a smaller portfolio or a single let property.

Herrington Carmichael aims to work with our clients from the very outset to devise the most effective structure to achieve your objectives, whether a large portfolio acquisition; a single income producing investment; a portfolio acquisition; a mortgage portfolio transaction; a sale and leaseback; a disposal; or a trading transaction.

Our aim is to assist you in enhancing the performance of your property investment by effective management of the assets and we can assist you in all aspects of the landowner/occupier relationship.

Our real estate development finance and secured lending team have industry recognised expertise and regularly advises clients on a full range of complex property financing transactions and arrangements.

We are experienced in drafting and advising on documentation based on LMA standards, bank standard documents, complex security suites (including overseas) and multi-currency lending arrangements.

We manage transactions from start to finish, ensuring a smooth and cohesive process which facilitates commencement to completion in a quick and timely fashion. We will invest the time upfront with you to understand your standard internal facility documentation and security requirements. Our expertise includes:

• Bridging finance
• Development finance
• Prioritisation of loans
• Property acquisition and investment finance
• Property refinancing
• Refurbishment loans – heavy and light
• Short term loan funding
• Sale and leaseback structures

Alongside our corporate and commercial teams, we are able to offer advice on:

• Loan agreements
• Floating charges
• Debentures
• Guarantees, security over building contracts and other finance documentation

Herrington Carmichael’s Property Investment team assists clients in managing property portfolios across the UK. We pride ourselves in offering a friendly, approachable service at a cost-effective price (when compared with a City firm) without compromising on attention to detail or quality of advice.

Our dedicated commercial property investment solicitors are able to offer a bespoke and personal approach to clients looking for investment opportunities, with legal services tailored to individual needs.

There are various reasons why a commercial premise can prove to be a sensible investment. Commercial properties usually have a higher investment return compared to residential properties, due to longer lease terms and potential for multi-let occupancies. There tend to be fewer investors within the commercial space, meaning more choice for investors and reduced competition for prime properties. 

There are many factors to consider when investing in commercial property, from ensuring the most financially-efficient way of structuring any acquisition, to maximising income streams through lettings. It is essential to be sure that the property you are acquiring is a solid marketable investment, free from any legal property covenants or issues which may cause issues in the future. As such we carry out comprehensive property due diligence on your behalf to ensure that you are aware of any potential future issues before you commit to purchasing.

UK property can be held in a number or ways, either directly or indirectly – including via a limited liability company, a LLP, a traditional partnership, or unit trusts. You will need to consider the most suitable structure for your property investment, and in particular the tax implications when deciding which structure is best suited to your requirements. The tax consequences will depend on a number of factors, such as your tax residence and the investment vehicle you choose. We always advise that you seek tax advice specific to your particular circumstances.

If you intend to borrow monies to finance your property transaction, the funding arrangements will need to be in place and agreed before the property legal documents are entered into. As your legal advisers, we will liaise with your lenders to ensure that they are comfortable with the legal title and due diligence relating to the Property, that their requirements for drawdown of the monies can be met, and that any security they require over the property being acquired is property documented and registered.