• Our property solicitors have extensive experience of supporting investors, developers and landlords who own and manage commercial or residential property portfolios. Or, in some cases, both.

    Why choose us to support your property needs?

    Our expert property solicitors can help you effectively manage all aspects of your property portfolio from start to finish. We provide support at all levels, whether you are an established landlord with an active portfolio of properties, large or small, or whether you are a first-time investor.

    Get clear and practical guidance on managing commercial and residential properties, covering all aspects of buying and selling, as well as ongoing landlord advice to ensure you get the most from your property assets.

    We have extensive experience in supporting longstanding clients across many industry sectors. These include both the private and public sector, charities, not-for-profit organisations, and educational establishments, including those with student accommodation.

    Recognition of our expertise

    At Brachers we deliver a continuously high-quality service to our clients.

    Our Residential Property team hold the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation, a mark of excellence, which we have maintained since 2012.

    Our commercial property solicitors are also ranked in the top tier of leading legal directory Legal 500.

    How we can help

    Simply expand the sections below for more information on the services and support available to you.

    • Purchase and sale of property

      Planning

      Leases

      Property litigation and disputes

      Arrears management and debt recovery

  • Case Studies

     

  • Brachers was initially instructed by a successful property investor in 2013 with the acquisition of a large mixed-use building located in the London Borough of Richmond.

    We have continued to represent this client with further residential acquisitions primarily in the London area.

    Brachers initially produced user-friendly standardised leases for short term lettings as well as a further precedent for longer leases.

    We also act for this client in the general management of the buildings.

    This includes:

    • Negotiation of new leases
    • Rent deposit deeds
    • Licences to assign, to underlet and to alter
    • Lease extensions
    • Freehold acquisitions
    • Deeds of variation
    • Landlord and tenant renewals, service of notices and dilapidation claims

  • Brachers was instructed by the council to handle a claim of disrepair by a secure tenant of its residential accommodation. This was following action taken by the council for anti-social behaviour by the tenant.

    We provided the following services:

    • Disrepair and dilapidations – Advising the council on the claim of alleged disrepair by the tenant, including review of the claim presented and tenant’s surveyor’s report.
    • Responding to the pre-action protocol letter of claim and instruction of an independent surveyor expert on behalf of the client to inspect and review the damage to the property.
    • Advising upon the claim and responding to it.
    • Nuisance and anti-social behaviour – There was a history of anti-social behaviour and incidents of nuisance arising at, or in the vicinity of, the property by the tenant’s visitors. The property had suffered smashed windows and broken door in past incidents, with some internal damage considered to be the responsibility of the tenant.
    • Housing dispute and litigation – The tenant had raised various issues in the past seeking to be moved from the property, and the alleged disrepair claim appeared to be another attempt by the tenant to be moved. We advised the council and liaised with its managing agent regarding the overall approach to the claim and works scheduled to take place to the block (including the property in question).

  • Brachers act for a property investment company which acquires freehold reversions with the purpose of securing residential ground rents.

    We have provided legal services related to residential property management since 2015.

    This includes:

    • Purchase of ground rent contracts
    • Leasehold management
    • Disposals
    • Tenancy agreements
    • Resales and staircasing
    • Lease extensions and enfranchisement
    • Litigation and housing disputes
    • Arrears management and debt recovery

  • Brachers advised an NHS Foundation Trust in relation to a review of its residential accommodation provision, including multi-occupancy staff residences (including shared facilities) located upon the hospital site and some off-site accommodation, including flats and houses.

    • Reviewed the Trust’s standard terms for short term licences to occupy.
    • Reviewed the Assured Shorthold Tenancies, including updating terms related to utilities and council tax, and improved procedures.
    • Supported the Trust in seeking possession of some accommodation. The matter was complicated due to the sensitive nature of requiring possession from some employees of the Trust whilst ensuring the Trust had enough accommodation available for incoming new staff and short-term placements. It also enabled the Trust to re-assess the provision of accommodation to key workers, keep some accommodation for students only, and enable refurbishment works to some parts of their accommodation.

  • The charity was seeking to recover possession of a residential property occupied by a resident.

    Such terminations are rare as occupiers are not tenants or licensees but appointed as beneficiaries of the Almshouse charity scheme.

    Brachers provided the following services:

    • Liaising with the trustees of the charity on the issue of verbal and written warnings to the resident. This was followed by formal notice to quit served upon the resident which complied with the Standards of Almshouse Management.
    • Ensuring appropriate consideration was given by the trustees, with reviews and formal resolutions, to pursue court proceedings to seek possession of the property. This included liaison with adult social care services.

    The matter was complicated due to the charity having to manage the risk and care needs of one resident’s welfare against the welfare of other residents, and the best interests of the charity.

  • Brachers is retained by an NHS Foundation Trust to deliver legal support across its whole estate, including staff accommodation.

    We advise on all aspects relating to property, tenancy and leasehold management.

    This includes:

    • Landlord and tenant
      Advising on leases, tenancies and licences of residential property and all estate management documents. This includes advising on disputes with tenants, serving notices and regularising the position with new leases.
    • Tenancy agreements
      Advising on all residential accommodation documentation, including short term licences and assured shorthold tenancies, together with ancillary prescribed information requirements and review of standard letting terms. We also provide support to an in-house legal team with standard forms and notices.
    • Possession
      – Providing legal advice regarding a street of houses joined to a former hospital site that were leased to a housing association, seeking to recover possession of the site for disposal by the Trust.
      – Advising in relation to the exercise of a break option.
      – Liaising with Trust’s surveyors in relation to a schedule of dilapidations and liability of the tenant to return the houses in the condition required under the lease.

Key Contacts - Property Managers, Investors and Landlords:

Meet the Team:

  • A firm with longevity, trust and a personal touch.

    Client quote

  • They have a very friendly and personal style. They are always professional, helpful and available.

    Chambers High Net Worth Guide

  • I was well informed throughout, his advice was excellent

  • Their ability to deal with difficult problems and their good knowledge of the subject.

    Legal 500

  • Very experienced and knowledgeable.

    Chambers & Partners

  • It was a pleasure to work with you and while I was on the periphery of the work on this purchase I was very impressed with the service from you and the company.

    Client quote

  • We have used the services of Brachers for a considerable number of years. They have supported us with leases and licences with our tenants and also when we have acquired space in external landlords’ properties.

    Client quote

  • All the team are knowledgeable and as they hold our legal documents for safe keeping, the information is readily available as required.

    Client quote

  • Once again you both made what is a very stressful time, a lot easier with your efficiency and calming nature.; we really appreciate this. We are extremely happy with our new home and once again thank you for your involvement in helping us achieve this.

    Mike and Heidi, Clients