You can visit the Conveyancing Quality Scheme website by clicking here, and view their charter which safeguards the levels of quality and service you can expect from Godwins.

• An experienced professional to handle your matter
• To be told clearly about any costs
• Reporting as the matter advances
• Available and responsive staff
• Liaising with estate agents, brokers, surveyors and others in order to progress your matter
• Looking and thinking ahead to foresee obstacles and beat deadlines
• Experience in both freehold and leasehold property

Buying and selling freehold land and buildings

Granting or taking a new lease of land, buildings, offices, shops or farms

For your own occupation or for a third party

Property taxation issues, including VAT and Stamp Duty Land Tax

Commercial mortgages

Grant of a new lease, lease renewals, lease surrenders and ending a lease

Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 and security of tenure

Break Clauses

Licence for alterations and changes of use

Change of occupier

Assignment and subletting

Buying or selling a development site

Options, pre-emption agreements and overage

Development agreements, conditional contracts and promotion agreements

Retail, office, industrial, residential, leisure and licensed premises and agricultural land/farms

Buying and selling agricultural land and buildings

Development of land or buildings for residential or commercial use

Entering into option agreements for potential future development

Farm business tenancies and farming partnerships

Telecommunications and solar panel installations

Drainage easements, wayleaves and rights of way

Nitrate mitigation schemes

Sporting rights

Woodland

Management issues

Grants of new leases

Lease variations

Subletting and assignments

Documenting alterations

Lease renewals

Surrenders

Breaches of covenant

Farming Partnership Agreements

The inherent tax implications of routine decisions around buying and selling agricultural and equine property can be far-reaching. We’ll work closely with your accountants/tax advisors to ensure you have the right paperwork in place.

You may be able to make better use of your resources and potentially boost your income through branching out into new areas. Our commercial property team can help you regenerate agricultural buildings and bring new life to your business. We’ll advise on development opportunities and associated hazards, tenancy agreements, and can help you get planning permission.

We’ll consider whether land has conditions attached, or rights for others to use the paths or pipes running through it.  Equally, we can guide you on granting new rights to others over your land.

We can help provide you with grazing agreements and licences.

Agricultural tenancies, now called farm business tenancies, can help you earn money from land you own, or get access to land you don’t. Godwins are experienced lawyers in land and estates and can work through terms and conditions for you. We’ll also keep an eye out for anything which might affect your land and estate’s value and profitability.

Our knowledge and experience can help you avoid unnecessary costs when installing services such as telecommunication masts, solar panels and renewable energy sources. We can advise on your contractual agreements and obligations, negotiate contracts and help you make the most of your permissions.

Godwins has specialist lawyers who are experts in woodland and forest law and can help you navigate both woodland and fishing transactions, whether you’re purchasing for your own leisure or tax advantages.

Professionally managed woodland can be a tax efficient way of passing wealth to future generations. With our team’s expertise in inheritance tax, wills and tax advice, you can be sure everything is in order to get the most out of your land.

We can also advise on which grants and reliefs are available from the government, which often depends on how you use the land and what species you have on it.

Regulations usually depend on how woodland functions – for example if it’s used as a nature reserve or for providing fuel, or for running another type of business such as a school or campground. We’ll help ensure you’re registered with the correct authority and have the correct permissions to be carrying out works.

We can advise on letting out mortgaged properties, for which you may need your mortgage lender’s permission. You can avoid difficulties by working with our team, who will provide a personal, thorough and attentive service.

Whatever the size of your property or portfolio, we can assist with the paperwork involved in its sale, regardless of its nature or location. We will guide you through the process, providing support and advice from start to finish.

• A Lifetime Mortgage
• A Home Reversion Plan

Eligibility is governed by a number of factors. The maximum amount of equity to be released will often be determined by the property’s value, the age of the owners and sometimes, their health.

Equity release isn’t always the best way to release equity or provide an income – it is often a last resort.

In recent years, equity release has hit the news as they have become more mainstream. It is crucial to have comprehensive legal advice on the scheme you have chosen or are considering, in order to avoid potential pitfalls and unexpected costs. Godwins can guide you, provide a full summary of the chosen scheme and will consider alternatives with you.

If it is the right way forward – and often this involves a ‘family’ decision – then safeguards should be built in and the lender should subscribe to a relevant code of practice. The Godwins team have extensive experience in this area.

In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to seek advice on informal arrangements between family members. In this instance, Godwins will provide you with supportive, expert advice.