Our Real Estate team employs deep market insight, genuine innovation and commercial focus to deliver end-to-end support on significant schemes that shape our cities and communities.
We are acutely aware that for developers, whether housebuilder, commercial, leisure or mixed-use, the disposal of the site – to another owner, or as finished housing plots or commercial units – is the key moment. Throughout the process, realisation of the investment and handover is our objective and our approach to land acquisition and secured finance for developers is based on preparing for eventual disposal.
We are fluent in the language of “housebuilder”. Our teams feature senior practitioners with decades of experience in this specialist sector, using our cutting-edge technology to produce a smooth and efficient plot sales service. Our aim is to ensure that reaching the point of completion and realisation is as uncomplicated as possible and we are currently generating bespoke software to further enhance this area of services for developers.
By understanding your objectives at the outset, we proactively steer real estate transactions and projects from feasibility to profitability. With our comprehensive understanding of investment risks and rewards, we provide valuable input and direction on project structures and development strategies.
We handle the full range of real estate transactions and projects, including site set-ups, acquisitions and disposals, development and regeneration, joint ventures, leasing, construction and engineering, as well as the planning and environmental aspects.
Whether you are a developer, landowner, landlord, tenant or investor, our multi-award-winning real estate specialists have an unparalleled reputation for realising opportunities, navigating the intricacies and getting deals done efficiently and effectively.
Accolades
Testimonials
“Acuity Law is superb and provides an all-round professional service.”
“The team is very knowledgeable about our business. They are highly skilled, proactive and supportive. Always contactable, flexible and commercially driven.”
“They provide clear, concise and knowledgeable advice over a range of property matters.”
“The commercial property team is very approachable and interested in our business. They are willing to work outside of normal hours and have always met our deadlines.”
“It’s the best all-round law firm I have dealt with outside London.”
“The practice is user-friendly, very knowledgeable on a wide range of commercial development proposals and provides timely service on all matters, from initial appraisals to final detailed agreements.”
“The one thing that separates Acuity Law from the other legal firms that we do business with is their open and proactive approach to contract drafting and the resolution of any issues that arise that require multi-party agreement.”
“The team has good availability and is always able to find suitable solutions for our business.”
“All individuals we have worked with have been very competent and diligent.”
“The team is committed, flexible and very knowledgeable.”
“The advice is commercially sensitive and business focused.”
“They seem to be able to add somebody to the team at a moment’s notice, and we can pick up the phone and receive an answer or have a meeting scheduled in good time.”
No property is exactly the same and our fees will reflect the particular requirements of your sale or purchase. For example, dealing with a leasehold listed building may, because of the added complexities, cost more than dealing with a recently constructed freehold property.
The below fees are fixed fees dependant on the property value.
Sale or Purchase – Freehold Properties
Property value £0-£500,000: From £1,750 to £3,500 plus VAT
Property value £500,001 – £1m: From £3,500 to £5,000 plus VAT
£1m plus: From £5,000 to £12,000 plus VAT
Sale or Purchase – Leasehold Properties
Property value £0-£500,000: From £2,500 to £5,000 plus VAT
Property value £500,001 – £1m: From £5,000 to £7,500 plus VAT
Property Value £1m plus: From £7,500 to £15,000 plus VAT
Remortgage – Freehold
Property value £0-£500,000: From £1,250 to £1,750 plus VAT
Property value £500,001 and over: From £1,750 to £1,950 plus VAT
Remortgage – Leasehold
Property value £0-£500,000: From £1,750 to £2,250 plus VAT
Property value £500,001 and over: From £2,250 to £2,450 plus VAT
The above fees are exclusive of VAT and disbursements.
Key stages on a purchase:
Key stages of a sale:
The timescale for a transaction is three months subject to both parties wanting to expedite the transaction more quickly.
Note that as residential conveyancing is not a core part of our business, we are not appointed to many of the residential banking panels which means we would be unable to represent them jointly with you on a purchase. The disbursements incurred should be minimal on a sale but on a purchase will include search costs of between £250 and £500 (plus VAT) together with SDLT/LTT (depending on whether the property is situated in England or Wales) and Land Registration fees in addition.
Both SDLT/LTT are based on the value of the property and also take account of existing property ownership and the purchasing entity. Land Registry fees are similarly linked to the value of the Property currently capped at £910 for purchases over one million pounds. We typically undertake 25 residential transactions a year excluding bulk sales and purchases undertaken on behalf of our commercial clients.
We have a range of highly experienced lawyers with an excess of ten years post qualification experience used to dealing with high-value commercial residential schemes who offer all necessary and appropriate to the junior lawyers who will typically manage the residential conveyancing file. Whilst a small percentage of Acuity’s legal services we are committed to providing the same high standards to which our commercial clients have become accustomed over many years.
All fees set out above are exclusive of VAT and disbursements. VAT is payable on all our fees at the prevailing standard rate, which is currently 20%.
