Solicitors For Your Business

Commercial Property Solicitors in Reading, Henley-on-Thames & Wokingham

With offices in Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham, we are recognised as one of the most established and experienced teams of Commercial Property solicitors in the Thames Valley. We can also advise you remotely and you can expect the same legal advice and client care on which our leading reputation is based, however you decide to work with us.

Looking for expert legal advice?

Award-Winning Commercial Property Solicitors
in Reading, Henley-on-Thames & Wokingham

Whether you are buying, selling or leasing commercial property, we are highly experienced in advising owners and occupiers in relation to premises ranging from business parks and industrial estates through to offices, retail units, sporting and leisure facilities, healthcare sites, care homes, universities and schools, hotels, pubs and restaurants, as well as land to be used for a wide variety of other purposes.

If you are buying or selling land for development, we can provide a comprehensive, end-to-end service for landowners and developers of all sizes, working closely with our award-winning Residential Property team and our Planning & Environmental Law team, ranked among the top 20 nationally. We have advised on developments ranging in size from under ten properties to more than 2,000 homes, with associated infrastructure and amenities.

Working With our Leading Team of Commercial Property Solicitors

We work with a broad range of clients including large public and private companies, owner-managed and family businesses, commercial landlords, landowners, independent developers and major housebuilders, investors and pension funds, banks and lenders, local authorities, town and parish councils, charities, schools and universities, and private individuals and families.

You will benefit from our in-depth and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the region and, if required, will also be able to draw on the specialist expertise of our colleagues in areas such as Planning & Environmental Law, Residential Property, Dispute Resolution, Corporate & Commercial, Charity Law and Estate Planning, Tax & Trusts.

Our relationships with other leading professional services firms across the Thames Valley and our experience in working closely with other advisers who may be representing you can also help to ensure a smoother process and minimise the likelihood and impact of any unforeseen issues or costly delays.

As members of the Law Firm Network, a global network of 50 law firms, we can advise international clients, including UK subsidiaries of multinational companies, who are investing in the UK, as well refer clients based in the UK to like-minded lawyers overseas.

Trusted Expertise & Experience in Commercial Property

We have been named as a finalist in the ‘Property Law Firm of the Year’ category at the Thames Valley Property Awards three times (2017, 2018 and 2023), winning in 2017. Recently, we were also named ‘Property Law Firm of the Year’ at the 2023 Insider South East Property Awards and 'Best Law Firm' at the 2023 Royal Berkshire Property Awards.

We are one of only a small number of law firms outside of London with a dedicated team of specialist Planning & Envrionmental Law solicitors and ranked by Planning magazine among the top 20 Planning Law firms in the country.

We continue to be recommended in the UK’s leading guides to law firms, Chambers UK and The Legal 500, whilst our successful approach and lasting professional relationships are evident in the excellent feedback that our clients kindly continue to share.

What We Can Help You With

Development land - property developers
Development land - individuals
EV charging point leases
First registrations of title
Leases (commercial landlord & tenant)
Lease extensions & leasehold enfranchisement
Planning & environmental law
Property disputes
Residential property
Sale & purchase of commercial property
Secured lending (property finance)
Telecommunications & solar panel leases
Title investigations for land & property
Venue licensing

Our Commercial Property Solicitors

For expert legal advice call our Commercial Property team
Reading 0118 951 6800 Henley-on-Thames 01491 572 323 Wokingham 0118 951 6888

John Dingle

Partner, Commercial Property Law

Download vCard Email 0118 951 6802

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Jane Gunnell

Consultant Solicitor, Commercial Property Law

Download vCard Email 0118 951 6860

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Luke McMath

Partner

Download vCard Email 0118 951 6903

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Katja Wigham

Partner, Commercial Property Law

Download vCard Email 0118 951 6933

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Jonathan Dinsdale

Senior Associate Solicitor, Dispute Resolution - Property Disputes

Download vCard Email 0118 951 6916

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Gemma Stephenson

Senior Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property Law

Download vCard Email 0118 951 6867

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Paul Wilkinson

Senior Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property Law

Download vCard Email 0118 951 6879

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Edward Williams

Solicitor, Commercial Property Law

Download vCard Email 0118 951 6831

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Common Questions

Where are your offices located?

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Our offices are conveniently located in Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham. We can also advise you remotely and you can expect the same legal advice and client care on which our leading reputation is based, however you decide to work with us.

Selling land for development, where do I begin?

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Take agent/valuer and legal advice early on. A health check of your title by a solicitor to check there is no missing land or restrictions or rights on your title which may impede development is important. An agent can advise on value and whether any “uplift” provisions should be agreed under which a seller is paid extra money by the buyer in certain circumstances such as where they obtain planning permission which increases the value of the site.

Do I need a solicitor to advise on a commercial lease?

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There is no legal requirement to instruct a solicitor when taking a lease. However, you risk entering into a lease which may be unduly onerous, for example in terms of repair or it may contain inoperable break clauses. Many leases also attract an obligation to pay SDLT within 14 days of completion or earlier occupation and to register at the Land Registry. This can be easier if you instruct a solicitor.

Do I have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on a commercial lease

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Sometimes. SDLT is payable if the rent (plus VAT) payable over the first five years of the term taking into account rent free periods and rent reviews exceeds a threshold. SDLT is payable within 14 days of completion or earlier occupation.

What is security of tenure?

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Security of tenure is a statutory protection introduced under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (“the Act”) which gives a tenant a right to request a new tenancy at the end of the term. The landlord can only object based on certain grounds set out in the Act. The parties can agree that security of tenure is excluded from a lease and this is common in many commercial leases; particularly shorter ones. There is a statutory procedure which must be followed to exclude security of tenure. The landlord must ensure it is correctly followed or risk inadvertently granting the tenant security of tenure.

For what might I need landlord’s consent?

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It depends entirely on the terms of the lease but the most common are:

To assign (transfer) the lease
To underlet
To make alterations
To take a mortgage
To make a planning application
To change use

What do I do if I’ve lost my title deeds?

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If your property is registered the answer may well be nothing, if the Land Registry title is up to date and complete.

If your property does not have a registered title then if you have searched everywhere, including with any current or former lender or solicitor, you may have to make an application for adverse possession based on lost title deeds. A solicitor can help you with that.

What is a restrictive covenant?

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A restrictive covenant is a restriction usually imposed on the sale or purchase of property which restricts certain uses of that property for the benefit of neighbouring land. e.g. not to use the property except as a single private dwelling house; not to construct any buildings on the property. This can affect future development.

What compliance documents must I have to sell or lease my property?

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We will need:-

Photo and address ID. We will then carry out an online ID check
Evidence of ownership of the property.
Evidence of source of wealth; i.e. how did you earn the money which enabled you to purchase the property.

Why Choose Us?
LEADING REPUTATION

We are widely acknowledged as one of the Thames Valley’s leading firms of Commercial Property solicitors, with conveniently located offices in Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham.
APPROACHABLE SERVICE

Listening carefully to our clients’ needs and aims, we are committed to providing you with clear, practical, commercially focused and effective legal advice, a responsive and highly personal service and, crucially, value for money.
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE

Having acted for many of the UK’s leading lenders, advised on over £250m of development land deals in one year and in relation to some of the highest profile premises in Reading and the Thames Valley, you can trust in our significant expertise and experience.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER ADVISERS

Our established relationships and experience in working with lenders and other leading firms, including agents, surveyors and other solicitors, can help to minimise the likelihood and impact of any unforeseen issues or costly delays.
A JOINED UP APPROACH

You can rely on our specialist expertise in areas other than Commercial Property, ranging from Planning & Environmental Law to Residential Property and Dispute Resolution, if needed.

Who we work with

“The team is led by very experienced partners and is well respected throughout the industry.”

The Legal 500

“Experienced in property transactions including sales, acquisitions and leases as well as in relation to land development projects.”

Chambers UK

“Simply excellent. A great team specialising in all facets of commercial property, with a thirst to achieve the very best outcome for their client.”

The Legal 500

“The team has a high level of expertise for complex commercial property transactions.”

Chambers UK

“Blandy and Blandy is a great all-rounder. John Dingle is a super client partner. Always available to offer solutions and looking after all the client needs.”

Head of the Estates Legal Team, University of Oxford

“The team at Blandy & Blandy are, without exception, an exemplar legal firm. I have had the privilege of working with partner level solicitors specialising in corporate, commercial, property and charity related matters. Their personal, rational and methodical approach to every case has been extremely beneficial and delivered favourable results in a timely manner. I would not hesitate to recommend Blandy & Blandy to anyone wishing to secure the very best legal advice.”

Chief Executive, The Hartley Trust

“Blandy & Blandy has advised Austin Fraser in a number of areas over the past 10 years, including recently on the first letting of the landmark Thames Tower. We have always found Blandy & Blandy to be exceptionally detailed, comprehensive and a pleasure to work with and would have no hesitation in recommending the firm.”

Commercial Director, Austin Fraser Limited

“I had the pleasure of working with the property and development team, whereby they provided the legal advice to a landowning client of mine, in respect of a land promotion agreement and site development considerations. The team was excellent, with high quality considered advice and a very responsive service, which greatly aided the progression and conclusion of the agreement to all our mutual satisfaction. Very impressed, and I am looking forward to working on the next project together. I have no hesitation in recommending Blandy & Blandy on any such matters to further clients.”

Managing Director, Powells Chartered Surveyors, Land & Estate Agents

“Blandy & Blandy trooped together with our rather shell-shocked family through a long and protracted litigation battle that ended up in the High Court. Due entirely to their collective expertise, impeccable knowledge and strategic thinking, together with an excellent choice of Barrister, we secured an outcome that we were exceedingly pleased with, and one that also generally well covered in the media. There is no doubt in our mind that this could not have been achieved with any other team in place. We are, and will remain, extremely grateful.”

Director, Smokeys, Maidenhead

“Blandy’s have acted for us over a number of years on a diverse range of issues. We have found them to be clear, expert, well-resourced and approachable in their advice.”

Director, Cove Construction Limited

“We are extremely proud to bring this iconic hotel into our existing portfolio and look forward to working with the team in situ to further build on its reputation and stature. It has been a pleasure working with David, John and their teams who have advised and helped to navigate us successfully through the acquisition process.”

Director, Crest Hotels Group

“We already knew some of the people at Blandy & Blandy, from an office lease which they very successfully negotiated and concluded 18 months ago. When it came to a sale of the business, it was even more important to us that we had a team which we felt comfortable working with, and who would help us through what we expected could be a complex and potentially stressful process, and something which none of us had any experience with before. As soon as we spoke with the team, we had every confidence that Blandy & Blandy would be the right team for us. From beginning to end, the team’s experience and ability were extremely useful and they deftly guided us to an outcome which we were very pleased to achieve.”

Managing Director, Badger Software Limited

“All the team at Blandy & Blandy have been brilliant in handling the issues of my charity. They’ve dealt with some really complex issues with speed and enthusiasm. Katja in particular has been amazing.”

Trustee, Freely Fruity

“Blandy & Blandy has supported the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) with a wide range of legal services, covering all aspects of commercial life, for many years. It’s the simple things that matter most to clients like the GGF, such as prompt responses to communications and sound advice that can be relied upon, which all equate to how you assess value for money as a client. These core building blocks have allowed the GGF to build key relationships with our partners at Blandy & Blandy and take their strategic legal advice as we continue to grow and develop all aspects of the GGF Group.”

Managing Director, Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF)

“They are a valued partner, understand our business needs and provide us with the right legal support, when needed.”

Managing Director, R Collard Limited

“With the fast pace of growth that necessitated our move to larger offices, our priority was having someone take away the distraction of negotiating the lease. The team at Blandy & Blandy did exactly that. Nothing was a problem for them and they made the whole process easy, allowing us to get on with business.”

CEO, TaxCalc (Acorah Software Products Limited)

“We are delighted with and grateful for Blandy & Blandy’s continued advice and support, most recently on a land purchase that proved quite involved. John Dingle went above and beyond in dealing with the matter. We are very confident that Blandy & Blandy is re the right law firm to support our growing family business with all of our legal requirements.”

Director, Kingdom Coffee

“We have always received a professional and focused advice across a wide range of legal matters. We are impressed with the consistency of the quality provided by all the teams we have had services from.”

Finance Director, Ben - Motor And Allied Trades Benevolent Fund

“The Abbey is grateful for the continued support of Blandy & Blandy for professional services in particular relating to employment, property and planning law. We would be happy to recommend them to others.”

Bursar, The Abbey School