Laura joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate team as an Associate in 2022.
Insight Service: Real Estate
Our Real Estate team provides comprehensive residential and commercial property advice and assistance on the full lifecycle of a property to homeowners, investors, developers and financial institutions.
Lawrence Stephens welcomes back Associate following a 5-year career break to have children
Lawrence Stephens welcomes back Anna Christou, Associate in the Real Estate Finance department to work, following maternity leave and a 5-year career break to raise three young children. A combination of the post-pandemic world and Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Appoints Head of Residential Real Estate and Director
Expansion in the Real Estate department creates senior position for Goli-Michelle Banan. Banan to join as Head of Residential Real Estate from 10th October 2022. Steven Roskin to joined as Director in the Residential Real Read more…
Goli-Michelle Banan
Goli-Michelle Banan has joined Lawrence Stephens as Head of Residential Real Estate, with more than a decade’s experience in the prime and core London residential real estate market. Her established network of clients and business Read more…
Steven Roskin
Steven Roskin joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate department as a Director in 2022. His core practice focuses on Prime Central London transactions, and working with first time buyers. Steven has built his experience over the Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Completes £31M Transaction in a “Rubbish Deal”
Lawrence Stephens recently completed a £31M sale of a property previously used as a waste management, recycling and skip hire site, located in North West London. The transaction was a complex and high-value sale which Read more…
Avni Patel
Avni joined Lawrence Stephens as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2022. She completed the GDL and LPC at BPP University in London. Avni worked in legal publishing for six years before joining Lawrence Stephens in Read more…
Landlords Must Provide A GSC Before A Tenant Moves In
There is no denying that private landlords are facing challenging times. From the proposed ‘Renters Reform Bill’ which may, if it becomes law, abolish section 21 (no fault) notices and force landlords into accepting pets Read more…
Isabella Tamlyn
Isabella joined Lawrence Stephen’s Commercial Real Estate team in September 2022 as a Trainee Solicitor. She completed an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, then completed the GDL at the University of Law, before going on to Read more…
Armita Golshahi
Armita joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate department as a Paralegal in August 2022. She graduated from Keele University with a bachelor’s degree in Law With Politics. She has further completed the LPC with a masters Read more…
Lawrence Stephens promotions: Associates, Senior Associates and Directors
Following a fantastic period of growth, matched by relentless commitment and talent across the firm, Lawrence Stephens has made a series of promotions across the Real Estate and Real Estate Finance departments. These moves will Read more…
Sophie Robertson
Sophie joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate department as a paralegal in April 2022. After graduating from university in Australia with a Bachelors Degree in Communications, she obtained her GDL and a LPC with a Master Read more…
Hannah Kavoosi
Hannah joined Lawrence Stephen’s Real Estate department as a paralegal in April 2022. Hannah completed her LLB at City University, London and has started her SQE. Prior to this, Hannah worked in a Real Estate Read more…
Jordan Hunt
Jordan joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate department as a Paralegal in January 2022. Prior to this, he read History at the University of Warwick before going on to complete the LLM Law Conversion at BPP Read more…
HMRC Clarifies the Position on VAT Treatment of Dilapidation Payments
A dilapidation payment is the money claimed by a landlord from a tenant upon the termination of a lease to cover the cost of repairs to a premises when a tenant has failed to return Read more…
Hafsa Umarji
Hafsa has particular expertise in advising on all aspects of residential property transactions, from acting for freehold and leaseholders, first time purchases, selling a listed building, high value landed estates to working with major housing Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Acts on Sale of Prestigious West End Theatre
Lawrence Stephens’ Consultant Solicitor, David Seal, has acted for the vendor of Saville Theatre on London’s Shaftsbury Avenue to complete a sale to Yoo Capital Investment Management. The Grade II listed building initially opened as Read more…
Ana Aller
Ana Aller has 10 years’ PQE and joined the Lawrence Stephens team as an Associate in October 2021. Specialising in Commercial Real Estate, Ana assists clients with matters ranging from acquisition & disposal of property, Read more…
What is the Future for Sustainable Commercial Property?
Insulate Britain have made themselves a household name within the last few weeks, after staging several protests on the M25 and on other major highways, resulting in swathes of arrests, many disrupted commutes, and numerous Read more…
Craig Mullen
With more than 16 years PQE, Craig Mullen has accumulated vast experience in dealing with a full range of commercial real estate and real estate finance transactions; his specialisms include managing commercial landlord & tenant Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Adds to Expanding Real Estate Department
We are pleased to announce that we have hired Commercial Real Estate Solicitor, Sara Jutestal, to join our growing team. Native Swedish speaker Sara has seven years’ experience working in the real estate sector including Read more…
Sara Jutestal
Sara Jutestal is a bilingual Commercial Real Estate Solicitor with 2 years’ PQE experience. Fluent in both English and Swedish, Sara advises on a range of commercial real estate matters including refinancing, landlord & tenant Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Strengthens Residential Real Estate Team
We’re delighted to announce that we have recruited experienced residential property solicitor, Rebecca Thomas, to our expanding Real Estate department. Joining us as a Senior Associate, Rebecca has over twelve years’ experience in providing expert Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Expands Real Estate Team
We’re pleased to announce that experienced real estate lawyer, Angela McCarthy, has joined Lawrence Stephens as an Associate in our expanding Real Estate team. With 10 years’ experience in the real estate sector, including 4 Read more…
Angela McCarthy
Angela McCarthy is conscientious, approachable and driven and delivers commercial, cost-effective advice. Building strong client relationships is a key strength and enables her to align advice with client business strategies and objectives. Having worked in Read more…
Government Calls for Evidence on Latest Commercial Rent Measures
Since extending restrictions on Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) and commercial evictions last month, the government has released a call for evidence on the latest commercial rent measures from landlords, tenants and all relevant stakeholders Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Closes Deal on Multi-Million-Pound Westminster Property
Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate department has acted for high-profile international investors to complete a purchase of a multi-million-pound Central London commercial property. Real Estate Director Nick Marshall led on the transaction, with the assistance of Read more…
All Private Landlords to Issue Electrical Safety Reports from 1 April
From 1 April 2021 it will be a statutory requirement for all landlords to carry out electrical safety tests and issue electrical safety reports to tenants for all private tenancies in England. The Electrical Safety Read more…
Commercial Eviction Ban Extended by 3 Months
The Government has announced that it has extended the ban on commercial tenant evictions until at least 30 June 2021, in an effort to provide additional support to businesses as they begin to trade following Read more…
Stamp Duty Surcharge of 2% for Non-UK Residents Approaches
During last week’s budget we heard that the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday would be extended until 30 June for residential properties with values up to £500,000, with a final deadline of 30 September Read more…
Help to Buy: Exploring the Differences between the Current and New Equity Loan Scheme
The Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme, an initiative designed to better enable buyers to raise funds for a new residential property purchase, was first announced by the UK Government in the March 2013 Budget. Read more…
The Cladding Crisis and the UK Government’s Five-Point Plan: A Drop in the Ocean?
Almost four years following the Grenfell Tower tragedy on 14 June 2017, the UK Government has finally announced a plan to tackle unsafe cladding in residential buildings across the UK. The obvious question is why has it Read more…
Vidhushan Sujenthiran
Vidhushan is an approachable Real Estate Finance Solicitor, eager to provide clients with solutions-based legal advice. Vidhushan acts and advises a number of clients in relation to a range of residential and commercial property matters. Read more…
Stamp Duty Land Tax Holiday Deadline: What You Need To Know
As we approach the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday deadline on 31 March, many buyers and sellers are feeling the pressure to get their property transactions over the line to make significant tax savings Read more…
Government Reforms to Benefit Leaseholders
On 7 January 2021 the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced revisions to leasehold enfranchisement laws, which come as part of the biggest proposed reforms to English Property Law in 40 years. Lease Extensions Under the Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Welcomes New Director to Real Estate Team
We are delighted to welcome Jonah Michael to Lawrence Stephens as a Director in our expanding Real Estate team. An experienced Residential Conveyancing lawyer, Jonah has an impressive record of dealing with complex and high-value Read more…
The New Help to Buy: Equity Loan Scheme: What You Need to Know
First-time buyers are able to apply for an equity loan with the new Help to Buy: Equity Loan (2021-2023) scheme from 16 December 2020. The new scheme replaces the current Help to Buy: Equity Loan Read more…
Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate Team Excels with Two Successive Multi-Million-Pound Property Deals
We are pleased to announce that Lawrence Stephens has acted on behalf of high-profile international investors to complete transactions of two Central London commercial properties, each with eight-figure price tags. Working to a tight three-week Read more…
Mark Toland
Mark has a wealth of experience which belies his four years of qualification acquired at a Legal 500 firm acting for bridging and high street lenders, large national developers, registered providers, and both commercial landlords Read more…
Nick Marshall
Nick has over 20 years of experience acting for international and domestic clients, helping them achieve their investment and operational targets, as well as managing the life cycle of their real estate portfolios. Regardless of how Read more…
Rent arrears recovery and protection
Following our previous article on this topic, the government has extended the protections available to commercial and residential tenants. This article also outlines the remedies available for landlords. FORFEITURE Section 82 of the Coronavirus Act Read more…
COVID-19 Update for Residential Landlords & Tenants – New Six Month Notice Period
From 29 August 2020, residential landlords must give at least 6 months’ notice when seeking possession under s.83 of the Housing Act 1985; s.8 and s.21 of the Housing Act 1988; and against tenants with Read more…
Lawrence Stephens acts on Manchester property transaction
We are pleased to announce that our Real Estate team, led by Partner Stephen Messias and Senior Associate Nisha Saigal successfully acted on a transaction involving an exciting mixed-use development in the heart of Manchester Read more…
Rent Arrears Recovery: Considerations for Landlords and Tenants
As the pandemic continues to affect the economy and businesses, the government has introduced a number of measures for commercial and residential tenants. Forfeiture Section 82 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (‘the Act’) is intended Read more…
Further reforms to the Use Class Order used in planning laws which include 3 new Use Classes
The government has this week announced further changes to planning laws, this time revamping the current Use Classes order. Currently planning permission is required where there is a change of use of a property and Read more…
Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector
New Regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every 5 years. Landlords have to provide a copy of Read more…
Property market reopen for business: Has it? Will it?
As of the 13th May, the government has relaxed restrictions imposed on the property sector during the coronavirus lockdown period. Estate agents, removal companies, conveyancers, and surveyors can resume trading; buyers and surveyors can visit properties Read more…
Everything you need to know about the government’s new measures for the property market
Last week, the government announced its measures to help restart the property market after a period of deep freeze, following the UK’s measures taken to curb the spread of coronavirus. During this period, it has Read more…
Commercial Property and COVID-19 – FAQs
In this legal insight, Partner Danny Schwarz seeks to provide clarity on practical issues that building occupiers and owners have experienced, by addressing some of the most frequently asked questions he and his team have Read more…
COVID-19: Witness of Deeds
During the current COVID-19 climate with the government advising on social distancing, many people will find executing documents difficult. So, what advice should law practitioners be giving their clients to assist when executing documents? Can Read more…
2% stamp duty surcharge overseas purchaser
On 11th of March 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in his budget that from 1st April 2021, a 2% surcharge on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) would be imposed upon non-UK resident buyers of residential Read more…
Residential Property Transactions and COVID-19 – FAQs
The measures taken by the UK Government to contain the spread of the coronavirus have created profound complications for the UK residential property market. Legal concerns relate to drafting contracts, financing arrangements, force majeure provisions, Read more…
Commercial Tenants: no evictions for 3 months – but what will really happen?
There was an air of inevitability with the announcement, and it is hard to argue against it. The Government announced on the 23 March that given the unprecedented strain on businesses, any tenants affected by Read more…
The Government’s attempt at ‘Squashing the Sombrero’: will banning evictions for 3 months on Commercial Tenants really solve the problem?
I miss Brexit. In light of the strict lockdown on 23 March 2020, the Government have implemented further concessions to assist tenants in the short-term and announced that commercial tenants who are affected by Covid-19 Read more…
How can tenants manage a disappearing landlord?
A vast number of people throughout London and the UK struggle to purchase a home and renting property has quickly become the norm. However, despite its prevalence, renting certainly does not come without its issues. Read more…
Glen Bayliss
Glen Bayliss joined Lawrence Stephens Solicitors in September 2019. He joins us from a West End firm where he was a Partner specialising in residential property and private client. Glen qualified in 1997 and won the Read more…
David Freedman
David joined Lawrence Stephens as a Partner in September 2019 and contributes over 30 years of legal experience to our Real Estate/Secured Lending team. Over the years, he has established a proactive, can-do attitude to Read more…
Contracting out the 1954 Act – what can you get away with?
This week the High Court had a rare opportunity to consider some practical issues that arise when commercial leases are excluded from the Security of Tenure Provisions in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, which Read more…
Upcoming Changes to Tenant Fees – Letting Agents and Landlords to Take Note
From 1 June 2019 the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (“the Act”) will impose restrictions on fees that can be demanded from tenants of newly granted Tenancies (such as ASTS, student lettings and licences to occupy Read more…
Lawrence Stephens Support Tigers Global Logistics with New Thurrock Facility
Lawrence Stephens Real Estate Partner, Avi Barr and Senior Associate Craig Mullen recently supported multi-national logistics firm Tigers Global Logistics with its move to a major new logistics facility in Thurrock. The opening of this Read more…
Frustrated by Brexit? Not if you are a Landlord!
A significant decision was reached today in the High Court which will allow Landlords up and down the country to breathe a huge sigh of relief. The High Court considered a claim by the European Read more…
Tenant Fees Bill receives Royal Assent
On 12 February 2019, the Tenant Fees Bill 2017-19 received Royal Assent and became the Tenant Fees Act 2019. The Act will come into force on 1 June 2019 for new and renewal leases and Read more…
Property Law In-House Training
No area of law is static and businesses and individuals need to completely understand the latest legal developments and their implications in order to make the most of every opportunity. This week Lawrence Stephens brought Read more…
Non-resident Investors – The Three-Month Property Supermarket Trolley Dash
The chimes at midnight this week meant more for UK non-resident investors than simply a new year – it marked the countdown to new rules coming into force on the payment of Capital Gains Tax Read more…
Nishta Camiah
Nishta joined Lawrence Stephens in August 2018 as an Associate and comes with significant experience in a broad range of commercial property matters. Nishta’s experience includes acting for clients in sales and acquisitions of both Read more…
Stavros Theophilou
Stavros has developed a strong reputation within the industry for his exceptional legal expertise and quality of client service, having recently been named in Bridging & Commercial’s 35 Under 35 Power List 2020. He is Read more…
Paul Marsh
Paul qualified as a solicitor in 2011 having previously worked in the commercial world of sales and marketing. Paul acts and advises clients in relation to a wide variety of commercial and residential property and Read more…
Real Estate
Our Real Estate team provides comprehensive residential and commercial property advice and assistance on the full lifecycle of a property to homeowners, investors, developers and financial institutions. Whether you own a single property or an Read more…
David Seal
David qualified in 1982 and with partner David Kosky set up his own firm, Kosky Seal, four years later. David specialises in all aspects of property law including secured lending, development and investment. He acts Read more…
Danny Schwarz
Danny qualified in 1998 and joined Lawrence Stephens in 2006, having previously worked in the Property department of a leading City firm. He was made a Partner in 2008. Danny deals with all aspects of Read more…
Nisha Saigal
Nisha joined Lawrence Stephens in 2015 bringing with her a strong background in commercial property matters. Nisha qualified as a solicitor in 2010 and was made up to Director in 2021. She works on a Read more…
Michael Petrou
Michael is a member of our Commercial and Residential Property teams, handling property acquisition, disposal and development transactions. He advises on all aspects of the residential sector, as well as commercial offices, retail leases and Read more…
Andrew Park
Andrew qualified in 1985 and became a partner at Kosky Seal two years later. The firm was integrated into Lawrence Stephens in 2007. Andrew’s practice encompasses commercial and residential property, landlord and tenant and employment Read more…
Andreas Panteli
Andreas joined Lawrence Stephens in September 2013 having studied Law at Queen Mary, University of London. Following the completion of his training contract at Lawrence Stephens, Andreas qualified as a solicitor in December 2015 and Read more…
Gregory Palos
Gregory is a Partner and Head of the Real Estate Finance Department. He has over 30 years’ experience working for clients within the UK and internationally in the acquisition of property investments, development sites and Read more…
Stephen Messias
As a founding partner of Lawrence Stephens, and with over 30 years’ experience, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm in all aspects of Commercial and Residential Real Estate, as well as Landlord Read more…
Christina Ioannou
Christina studied Law at the University of Sussex before completing her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law Bloomsbury in 2013. She joined Lawrence Stephens as a trainee solicitor and qualified with the firm Read more…