Property
Property Investment
Property is one of the UK’s most exciting and challenging business sectors, and is currently attracting substantial investment not only from institutions, property companies and funds, but also from smaller organisations and private individuals. By its inherent nature and value, property can generate substantial returns, but is equally capable of incurring substantial losses and even – for the inexperienced or poorly-advised investor – civil or criminal liability. Property is an exceptionally complex asset class, and a raft of health & safety and environmental-protection legislation represents a dangerous minefield for investors owners and landlords of both commercial and residential investment property. It is vital therefore that expert legal advice from experienced lawyers is obtained at all times in the property investment cycle, particularly on the purchase of an investment property when proper due diligence is an essential requirement. In addition to statutory risk there is also, of course, the issue of financial risk, and the potential loss to an investor of a poorly negotiated or deficient lease should never be underestimated. This loss can arise in terms of both the diminished capital value of the asset and the loss of income over the lifetime of the lease term.
The specialist team at Lyons Davidson has built up substantial experience, gained over many years and multiple transactions, in the acquisition, management and disposal of commercial and residential investment property. This extends of course to the drafting and negotiation of leases, contracts, joint venture agreements and all transaction documents involved in the investment process. Accordingly, we work closely with our client property-companies and funds, and also with our less experienced clients and private individuals to ensure that the legal risks are identified and minimised, and that any deficiencies in the title or documentation are picked up early so that they can be addressed or at least fully appraised and considered. Where there is a problem we will always seek to find a solution and can demonstrate a successful track record in this respect.
Lyons Davidson is particularly well-known for property investment work in the insurance, pension, healthcare and education sectors where we can apply the efficiencies of our Filestream technology and Extranet facility for the benefit of our clients. This enables us to process high volumes of property work to exacting service-level standards and timescales without compromising the quality of advice and personal attention.
Contact: John Hicks