Commercial Property Solicitors - Ely Office Serving Cambridge

Fraser Dawbarns is recognised by the Legal 500 across several practice areas, including Commercial Property. With a history spanning more than 200 years in East Anglia, we combine deep regional knowledge with the specialist expertise your commercial property matter requires.

Our commercial property team advises on:

• Commercial conveyancing (sales, purchases and transfers)
• Commercial leases (landlord and tenant)
• Property development and planning
• Commercial property finance (including bridging loans)
• Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on commercial property and leases
• Commercial property disputes.

Get in touch with our commercial property solicitors in Ely

To discuss your commercial property matter, please get in touch with our team at our Ely office.

Alternatively, you can complete the enquiry form at the bottom of the contact page and a lawyer will be in touch.

Why choose our Ely office for Cambridge-area commercial property work?

Our commercial property solicitors are based in Ely, 15 miles and approximately 17 minutes by direct train from Cambridge city centre, or around 20 minutes by car via the A10. Our Bartholemew’s Walk office has free on-site parking, which is a practical advantage over many Cambridge city centre firms.

Our location also makes us readily accessible to clients across Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk. With lower overheads than city centre practices, we pass that saving on through competitive fee structures.

Why businesses across Cambridge choose Fraser Dawbarns

Reasons to instruct our commercial property solicitors in Ely include:

• Specialist expertise across the full range of commercial property transactions
• Direct access to experienced solicitors and partners throughout your matter
• Transparent fee structures with clear quotes provided upfront
• Competitive rates relative to Cambridge city centre firms
• Free on-site parking and straightforward access by road and rail from Cambridge
• Strong regional knowledge built over more than 200 years in East Anglia
• Coverage of Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, Ely, Newmarket, Soham, Littleport, Huntingdon, and the wider region.

Our corporate and commercial law team works alongside our commercial property solicitors where a transaction involves a business acquisition or restructuring with a property element.

Our commercial property services in Ely

Commercial conveyancing

Commercial conveyancing is the legal process through which ownership or occupancy of commercial property transfers between parties. It is the day-to-day core of our practice.

Our solicitors advise buyers, sellers, investors, and owner-occupiers on acquisitions and disposals of freehold and leasehold commercial property. We act on transactions involving offices, retail units, industrial premises, warehouses, and mixed-use sites across the Cambridge corridor and the wider East Anglia region.

We manage the full transaction lifecycle: due diligence, title investigation, pre-contract enquiries, contract negotiation, exchange and completion, and post-completion registration with HM Land Registry. Our aim is to identify and resolve issues early, so that completion proceeds on programme and without unwelcome surprises for buyers, sellers, or lenders.

We work efficiently with Cambridge-based clients, combining remote communication with in-person meetings where the matter requires it, without the cost burden of a city centre office.

Commercial leases - landlord and tenant

A well-drafted commercial lease protects both landlord and tenant. A poorly negotiated one can create significant financial and operational risk for either party.

Our solicitors advise on commercial leases from both sides of the transaction. Our expertise covers:

• Drafting and negotiating new leases
• Lease renewals under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
• Assignments and underlettings
• Licences to alter
• Rent reviews and break clauses

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 gives qualifying business tenants a statutory right to renew their lease at the end of the contractual term, unless the lease is validly contracted out of those protections. Whether you are a landlord managing a portfolio or a tenant taking on new business premises, understanding whether the Act applies is critical.

We advise both landlords and tenants on this point clearly, and from a position of genuine experience across the Cambridgeshire commercial property market.

Property development and planning

We advise developers and landowners at every stage of a development project, from initial site acquisition through to plot sales. Our planning and development service covers:

• Option agreements and conditional contracts
• Overage and clawback provisions
• Promotion agreements
• Easements and access rights
• Section 106 planning obligations
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) considerations
• Infrastructure and highways agreements
• Site assembly and Land Registry matters

Whether you are a landowner negotiating an option or a developer assembling a site for commercial or mixed-use development, we provide practical advice tailored to your project and timeline.

Stamp Duty Land Tax on commercial property and leases

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) applies to commercial property purchases and, in certain circumstances, to commercial leases. Planning your SDLT position at an early stage can avoid unexpected costs at completion.

For commercial purchases, SDLT is calculated on the purchase price above the applicable threshold. For commercial leases, SDLT may be payable on any premium paid by the tenant, and separately on the net present value (NPV) of the rent over the lease term.

The NPV calculation can produce a meaningful liability on longer leases or those with higher rents and should not be overlooked. Current SDLT rates and thresholds for non-residential property are published on GOV.UK.

Our SDLT and commercial leases resource provides a detailed explanation of how these calculations work in practice. We recommend discussing your SDLT position before heads of terms are agreed.

Commercial property finance

We deal with a wide range of commercial property finance matters, including dealing with high street banks and unregulated lenders and a wide variety of loans, including bridging finance and self-build mortgages, whether these are linked to a purchase transaction or are just a standalone refinance.

Commercial property disputes

Whether the issue involves lease forfeiture, dilapidations claims, rent arrears, boundary disputes, or breach of covenant, early legal advice can prevent matters from escalating unnecessarily.

Our commercial property dispute solicitors work to secure practical, proportionate outcomes through negotiation, formal dispute resolution, or, where necessary, litigation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a commercial property solicitor based in Cambridge?

No. There is no requirement to instruct a solicitor with a Cambridge address if engaging in a commercial property transaction there. Fraser Dawbarns’ Ely office is 17 minutes from Cambridge by direct train and around 20 minutes by car, with free on-site parking. The majority of commercial property work is handled remotely, with in-person meetings arranged where the matter requires it.

Our Ely location means we can offer the same level of expertise as Cambridge city centre firms, typically at more competitive rates due to lower overheads.

How much does a commercial property solicitor cost?

Fees vary according to the value and complexity of the transaction, and whether it involves a purchase, sale, lease, or development matter. Fraser Dawbarns provides clear fee estimates at the outset. In addition to professional fees, there are disbursements to factor in: SDLT, Land Registry registration fees, and search fees.

We will set out all anticipated costs before you commit, so there are no unexpected charges at completion. You can verify solicitor credentials through the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor directory.

How long does commercial conveyancing take?

A straightforward commercial purchase typically takes between 12 and 16 weeks from instruction to completion. Development sites, complex leases, transactions involving planning conditions, or matters requiring lender involvement will often take longer.

The timescale depends on search results, the complexity of due diligence, the responsiveness of all parties, and whether any planning or title issues need to be resolved.

What is the difference between a commercial lease and a residential lease?

Commercial leases are significantly more heavily negotiated than residential tenancy agreements. They typically include detailed provisions on repair and service charge obligations, rent review mechanisms, break clauses, and the right to assign or sublet the premises.

Do I pay Stamp Duty on a commercial lease?

SDLT can be payable on a commercial lease in two ways: on any premium paid by the tenant to the landlord, and separately on the NPV of the rent over the lease term. The NPV calculation takes into account the annual rent and the length of the lease, and can produce a tax liability even where no premium is paid. Our SDLT and commercial leases resource explains the calculation in detail. We recommend seeking SDLT advice before heads of terms are agreed.

Which areas does your commercial property team cover?

Our commercial property solicitors in Ely serve clients across Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, Ely, Newmarket, Soham, Littleport, Huntingdon, and the wider East Anglia region. We regularly act on transactions across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and beyond. Distance is rarely a barrier to acting effectively on commercial property matters.

Get in touch with our commercial property solicitors in Ely

To discuss your commercial property matter, please get in touch with our team at our Ely office.

Alternatively, you can complete the enquiry form at the bottom of the contact page and a lawyer will be in touch.