Real Estate

We offer a commercial, practical approach that adapts to the requirements of a fast-moving market. Our diverse team can support you with specialist knowledge in areas such as:

  • Transactions and asset management
  • Construction and planning
  • Finance and tax structuring
  • Corporate and commercial

The real estate sector is facing considerable change with issues such as Brexit, the call for business rates reform and the impact of technology on working practices, together with demographic changes and their effect on the housing market all provide considerable challenges for real estate owners, investors and occupiers. In this changing landscape it’s more important than ever to have the legal experts on your side.

Our Real Estate team act for clients across all sectors and we have also built up teams providing specialist expertise in niche areas including:

We also understand that real estate is not just bricks and mortar. We’ll take the time to understand you and your ambitions for your business – and we’ll work hard to help you achieve them.

Our national presence means that we can understand our clients’ markets from a local perspective. We’ll work collaboratively with you to identify problems in advance, provide solutions, and give you our honest opinion on opportunities and risks in your market.

Resources for your Real Estate business

Is your business switched on to the benefits of ESG? Is diversity and inclusion embedded in your organisation? And are you staying legally complaint? From helpful guides to online training and ESG reports to insightful podcasts, our practical resources will help your business stay on the front foot.

  • Diversity and inclusion resources for your business – with the growing momentum and greater accountability of diversity and inclusion, you can’t ignore the need to invest in a comprehensive, long-term approach to building an empowering environment for your employees.
  • ESG services – it’s important to seek the right advice to help you deliver an ESG strategy with sustainable outcomes. That’s why we’re here to help.
  • Quarterly newsletter – sign up and get the latest sector updates delivered straight to your inbox.
  • Renters (Reform) Bill – where are we now? – with a particular focus on the Renters Reform Bill, we look at what was announced in the King’s Speech and the changes that both landlords and tenants need to be aware of.
  • The hillside decision – what it means for planning permissions – what was the outcome of the Hillside Parks Ltd case where the Supreme Court was asked if original planning permission could still be lawfully carried out?
  • ESG and corporate occupiers of real estate – our panel discuss how ESG might affect corporate occupier’s thinking when it comes to changing their office requirements.
  • Achieving net zero – what are the legal intricacies surrounding net zero? What challenges do businesses face, and what strategies are organisations using to overcome them?

Contact Us

Our specialist lawyers provide a full range of legal services for the real estate sector. Give our friendly team a call on 0808 291 4962 or get in touch online.

Adrian Barlow Partner Meet Our Real Estate Sector Team

Case Study - The International Mutual Fund (TIMF)

We have worked with The International Mutual Fund (TIMF) for more than six years.  During this time, we have advised the offshore investment fund on the acquisition of purpose-built student accommodation assets across the UK to build their Ardent student housing portfolio. We also advised on all associated matters for the portfolio, such as financing, property management and on-going asset management work.

In 2016, we were lead advisor to TIMF on the disposal of its remaining 25 assets of student accommodation - comprising roughly 6,000 beds.  This global transaction spanned several different time zones and legal jurisdictions. Solicitors from across the firm were involved, including construction, corporate, intellectual property, employment, tax and regulatory specialists.

The £417m deal was the UK’s largest student accommodation transaction in 2016.

In Focus

Podcast - What’s on the Horizon for the Rural Economy

Coronavirus lockdown, Brexit and climate change are all having a dramatic effect on the real estate landscape in rural areas. Our latest podcast looks at the real estate developments rural landowners need to know about for the future.

Listen to the Irwin Mitchell podcast

Recent Deals

Anthology

Advised the residential real estate developer on a £52m refinancing deal for 150 homes across two developments in London

Peel Hunt

Advised the corporate broker on the AIM IPO of regional property investment company Circle Property. The IPO, which valued Circle Property at £42 million, was the first UK flotation of a real estate unit trust.

Hunters Property plc

Advised the AIM-listed Estate Agency Group on a refinancing package to assist with its ambitious national expansion plans

Thorntons plc

We act for the confectionary retailers on all contentious and non-contentious matters relating to its portfolio of 160 stores throughout England and Wales.

Hallam Land Management Limited

Advised on the £50m sale of a site in Bedfordshire to Bovis Homes and Linden Homes – the deal represented the culmination of a 17 year project

Norman Properties Limited

Advised on the transfer of a £5.2m business and property portfolio and the refinancing of part of the portfolio with Barclays Bank

Related Services

Employment

Issues such as safeguarding and compliance can be prominent in the Retirement Living sector, which often experiences a high turnover of staff. We can help with all aspects of employment law, including advice on contracts, disputes, and compliance with national minimum wage regulations.


Corporate

Our corporate lawyers provide advice on M&A, disposals, private equity and equity capital market transactions, as well as everyday corporate matters.

Banking & Finance

Some areas, such as Retirement Living, are still something of an unknown commodity for many banks and lenders. We offer our expertise to bridge the gap and help you get the financial options that are right for your business.


Intellectual Property

Our well-established intellectual property lawyers advise on IP rights in the UK and internationally, from clearing and registering a new brand name and commercialising your rights, to resolving any disputes that may arise.

Private Wealth

We work with many high-net worth and ultra high-net worth individuals and their offices, ensuring their wealth and investments are structured to best effect. We are proud of our role as trusted advisors and can provide support in key areas such as pensions, tax, and succession planning.


Find one of our solicitors near you

We have offices in major cities throughout the UK and our lawyers can arrange to visit you or your business in person if necessary. We also have international capability, with global links to other legal specialists.

Our Locations