Commercial Property Solicitors in Manchester, Sale, and Chester
Whatever the nature of your commercial property or funding requirements, our experienced team of solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester can get straight to what matters for your business. We’ll give you clear advice to help you move forward with confidence.
How our commercial property solicitors can help your business
We handle the full range of commercial property work for businesses across the North West and beyond. Whether you’re buying your first warehouse, negotiating a lease, building a portfolio or refinancing we’ll give you practical advice that makes sense for your business.
Buying and selling commercial property
We help you secure the right business premises at the right price. Our business property solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester deal with purchases and sales of all sizes, whether you’re a small business buying your first property or a developer managing a multi-site portfolio.
Commercial leases and tenancies
Leasing commercial space comes with plenty of legal detail that needs getting right. We’ll negotiate lease terms that work for you, deal with all the ancillary documents and sort out any issues with landlords or tenants. We work closely with our Property Litigation team who handle all manner of property disputes.
Need funding for a commercial property purchase or development? We work with lenders and borrowers to get finance arrangements in place quickly. Our team handles everything from straightforward mortgages to complex development finance.
When things go wrong – boundary disputes, lease disagreements, landlord and tenant issues – you need a commercial property dispute solicitor who’ll fight your corner. We’ll work to resolve matters quickly where possible, but we’re not afraid to take things further if needed.
Development and investment
We support developers, investors and contractors on projects across the North West, from site acquisitions and construction contracts to property sales. Whether you’re building a property portfolio or making a single investment, we’ll help you structure deals properly and avoid the pitfalls. In the more corporate transactions, we will work seamlessly with our Corporate and Commercial team to deliver the project on time and on budget.
How our business property solicitors guide you through the process
Initial consultation
We’ll discuss your commercial property needs and objectives in plain terms. Whether you’re buying, leasing or dealing with a dispute, we’ll explain the process ahead and give you a clear idea of costs and timescales.
Getting the legal work underway
Once instructed, we’ll handle the heavy lifting – searches and contracts for purchases, lease negotiations, or dealing with your lender on funding matters. We’ll deal with the other side’s solicitors and keep you updated on progress. Timescales vary depending on the work, but we’ll give you realistic expectations from the start.
Completing your matter
We’ll talk you through everything before finalising, making sure you’re comfortable with the outcome. Then we’ll handle the final legal formalities – whether that’s registering your property, signing off lease terms, or completing and registering your lender’s charge.
We’ll keep you informed at every stage, so you’re never left wondering what’s happening.
Why choose Slater Heelis for commercial property legal advice
One of the North West’s most active teams
We’re one of the busiest commercial property teams in the region, handling everything from single-property purchases to multi-million pound developments. Our solicitors work across Manchester, Sale and Chester, with clients ranging from local family businesses to national companies like PJ Livesey Group, Rubix U.K. Limited and the Intertek Group.
Clients who stick with us
Our team prides itself on the strong relationships it forges with clients, as evidenced by long-standing client retention across the board. We have been retained by many of our existing clients for thirty years or more, a testament to the high-quality advice and technical expertise on offer. The relationship between client and adviser is now, more than ever, a genuine commercial partnership to be fostered and enjoyed, rather than simply a professional service, and the culture of the team as a whole reflects that ethos.
Flexible on fees
We’ll tailor our costs to suit your business. Whether you need fixed fees for certainty, capped costs for larger projects, or another arrangement, we’ll work out something that gives you value and transparency.
Sector experience that counts
Our business property solicitors work across retail, leisure, industrial, office and investment sectors. We understand the specific challenges each sector brings – from lease structures in retail to financing industrial developments – and we’ve handled it all before. We also have a strong residential development offering and a bespoke and specialist Real Estate Finance sub-team.
If you’re looking to buy, lease or sell commercial property, our team is here to help. We’ll listen to what you need, assess your situation honestly, and handle the legal work so you can focus on running your business.
We’re based in Manchester, Sale, and Chester with offices open for face-to-face meetings, and we also work with clients across the UK. We’ll keep you updated at every stage, handle all the legal work, and take the pressure off you during what’s already a difficult time.
"“I approached Slater Heelis with an urgent need to produce and complete a commercial property lease within a month. Victoria Wright was extremely thorough and proactive achieving the objective in less than three weeks. I will be delighted to use the firm again and can’t thank them enough for the great service.”"
Andy Jones, Director at Inspired IT Ltd
"“Slater Heelis have advised and acted for the family for a number of years in both commercial and family issues, including some quite large land transactions, and continue to do so. Tom Gilsenan recently completed the sale of a large parcel of farmland in Knutsford for us. The transaction was handled efficiently and courteously, keeping us all well informed, even when there was little to report.
The transaction itself was not straight forward consisting entirely of unregistered land and being sold in different lots, but he effectively dealt with this and other issues raised by the buyer, some of which we rejected on his advice. A satisfactory outcome has meant that the family have and remain wholly satisfied with Slater Heelis as their solicitors and would recommend them with full confidence to anyone requiring legal services”
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Simpsons Farms (Cheshire) Limited
"“Brammer UK Ltd have been using Slater Heelis as our property advisors for over 30 years and trust them completely to provide the right advice and guidance to enable us to make the correct commercial decisions. Will has always taken the time to understand our priorities and tailor their advice to our business, so much so we wouldn’t consider using anyone else.”"
Geraldine Hunt, Brammer UK Limited
"“Exemplary service, intuitive attention to detail and astute commercial instinct is why Anne Irwin has been our lead property lawyer for more than 20 years. Headquartered outside the UK, Anne’s care and guidance has been vital in protecting our UK investments across a wide range of property transactions, and her natural people skills and can-do attitude has got us across the line many times. We have no hesitation in recommending Slater Heelis and Anne, her track record demonstrates she is in the very top tier of property lawyers.”"
Gary Hamilton, Westminster Estates and Eaton Square Developments
"“We have used Slater Heelis for over 15 years across our portfolio. As our businesses have grown we have often moved to larger advisors in many areas. For property we have stayed with Mike Fox, Hannah and the team at Slater Heelis simply because the level of service and capability is outstanding.”"
Steven Walker, Founder and CEO Individual Restaurant
Frequently asked questions about commercial property solicitors
How much does a commercial property solicitor cost?
Costs vary depending on the work involved. For straightforward purchases or leases, we can often provide fixed fees. For more complex matters like disputes or developments, we’ll give you a clear estimate upfront. We’re happy to discuss flexible fee arrangements that suit your business needs.
Do I need a solicitor for a commercial lease?
Yes, you should always use a solicitor for commercial leases. Unlike residential tenancies, commercial leases have fewer legal protections and the terms can significantly impact your business. We’ll negotiate favourable terms and make sure you understand exactly what you’re committing to.
How long does a commercial property purchase take?
Most commercial property purchases take 8-12 weeks from offer acceptance to completion. The timeframe depends on factors like search results, lease reviews, and how quickly both parties respond. We’ll give you realistic timescales from the start and keep you updated throughout.
What searches are needed for commercial property?
Standard searches include local authority, environmental, drainage, and water searches. Depending on the property type and location, you might also need flood risk, chancel repair liability, or contaminated land searches. We’ll recommend the right searches for your specific purchase.
How does commercial property finance work?
Commercial property finance typically requires a larger deposit than residential mortgages (usually 25-40%) and is assessed based on the property’s income potential and your business finances. We work with lenders to arrange suitable finance and handle all the legal work to secure the funding.
What's the difference between a commercial lease and a licence?
A lease gives you legal rights to occupy property for a set term with security of tenure protections. A licence is simply permission to use space, offering less security and fewer rights. We’ll advise which arrangement suits your situation and negotiate the best terms.
Can I get out of a commercial lease early?
It depends on your lease terms. Some leases include break clauses that let you end the lease early if you follow specific procedures. If there’s no break clause, you might negotiate an early surrender with your landlord. We’ll review your lease and advise on your options.
What happens if my landlord wants to increase my rent?
Check your lease terms first. Most commercial leases include rent review clauses specifying when and how rent can increase – usually every 3-5 years. If you think a proposed increase is unreasonable, we can refer you to an expert rent review surveyor.
Do I need planning permission for my commercial property?
It depends what you’re planning to do. Changing how you use the property (like converting offices to a restaurant) usually needs planning permission. Some alterations also require consent. We’ll check planning requirements and refer you to an expert planning consultant, if you need one.
What should I do if I'm in a commercial property dispute?
Contact a commercial property dispute solicitor as soon as possible. Early legal advice can often resolve issues before they escalate. We’ll assess your position, explain your options, and work towards the best outcome – whether that’s negotiation, mediation or court action.
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