Charity Property Solicitors

Supporting charities and not-for-profit organisations with practical legal advice on acquiring, leasing, managing and protecting their property interests.

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Property can play an important role in the operation and long-term plans of a charity, whether it provides premises from which services are delivered, generates investment income or supports future growth. Buying, leasing, managing or disposing of property can also create significant financial and legal commitments, making it important to understand the terms of any transaction before proceeding.

DTM Legal advises charities, charitable companies, trusts, community interest companies, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations on a wide range of property matters. We help clients navigate acquisitions, lease negotiations, property management issues and disputes while ensuring the proposed arrangements reflect the organisation’s wider objectives.

Our Charity & Philanthropy team works alongside DTM Legal’s property specialists to provide practical support throughout the lifecycle of a property interest. Whether you are taking on new premises, reviewing an existing lease, dealing with a property dispute or considering the future of a property asset, we can help you understand your options and move forward with confidence.

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Property Legal Services

We provide property advice to charities and not-for-profit organisations at every stage of owning, occupying and managing property, including:

  • Property acquisitions and purchases
  • Negotiating and reviewing commercial leases
  • Lease renewals, extensions and variations
  • Licences to occupy and other occupation arrangements
  • Property disposals and sales
  • Property management matters
  • Landlord and tenant advice
  • Rent reviews and service charge matters
  • Break clauses and lease termination
  • Assignments and subletting
  • Property development and redevelopment projects
  • Property finance and secured lending
  • Property disputes
  • Reviewing property portfolios and existing arrangements

Why Instruct DTM Legal?

Property decisions can have long-term financial and operational consequences for a charity. We take the time to understand how the property fits within your organisation’s wider plans before advising on the legal issues involved.

Our advice is practical and focused on helping you make informed decisions. We identify potential risks at an early stage, explain your options clearly and work with you to achieve an outcome that supports the organisation’s objectives without introducing unnecessary complexity.

Charity property matters can involve additional governance and regulatory considerations alongside the usual issues arising from a commercial property transaction. We can help trustees and decision-makers understand the requirements that may apply and ensure that appropriate steps are taken before significant commitments are made.

Where a matter becomes contentious, our property lawyers can work with DTM Legal’s dispute resolution specialists to provide coordinated advice. This allows us to support clients throughout a property matter, from the initial transaction and ongoing management through to resolving disputes where necessary.

We provide:

  • Clear and practical advice tailored to your organisation’s property needs
  • Support with both transactional and contentious property matters
  • Advice that considers your wider operational and financial objectives
  • Early identification of potential legal and commercial risks
  • A responsive approach throughout negotiations and transactions
  • Access to wider property and dispute resolution expertise where required

Get in Touch

Whether your organisation is acquiring new premises, negotiating a lease, managing an existing property interest or dealing with a dispute, DTM Legal can provide practical advice throughout the process.

Contact Alison and the Charity & Philanthropy team by calling 01244 354 800 or via email at alison.brennan@dtmlegal.com.

Key Contact
Head of Property
DTM Legal
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350+Reviews

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Key Considerations for Charities and Not-for-Profit Organisations Dealing with Property

Having the right information available at the outset can help your solicitor understand the proposed property arrangement and identify any legal, practical or governance issues that need to be addressed. Read our Key Considerations guide to understand some of the points a solicitor may wish to discuss when responding to your enquiry. It can help you prepare the relevant information and make your initial conversation more productive.

View Key Considerations
DTM Legal
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Charity & Philanthropy Team

Anna Duffy

Head of Property
Alison Brennan

Head of Compliance and Service Delivery
Richard Thomas

Head of Business Recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions from charities regarding property:

Charities buying property face many of the same considerations as other purchasers, including title investigations, searches, surveys, planning issues and contractual obligations. However, trustees may also need to consider whether the acquisition is appropriate for the charity, represents a suitable use of its resources and complies with its governing arrangements.

Obtaining advice early can help identify potential issues before the organisation becomes legally committed to the purchase. Charity Commission guidance also recommends that trustees proposing to acquire land take appropriate professional advice and consider matters including suitability and value.

Before entering into a lease, the organisation should understand both the immediate and long-term financial commitments involved. This may include the rent, service charges, repair obligations, insurance arrangements and any costs associated with maintaining or leaving the premises.

You should also consider the length of the lease, any break rights, restrictions on use and whether the property can be assigned or sublet if the organisation’s circumstances change.

 

Yes. Property disputes can arise over issues including lease terms, rent, repairs, service charges, boundaries, rights of way and occupation arrangements.

We can review the relevant documents, advise on your organisation’s legal position and help identify the most appropriate route towards resolution. This may involve negotiation or another form of dispute resolution, with formal proceedings considered where necessary.

Charities can be subject to specific legal requirements when selling, transferring or granting certain leases of charity land. The precise requirements depend on the nature of the property and the proposed transaction, and in many cases trustees must follow statutory procedures before completing a disposal.

It is therefore sensible to take advice at an early stage so that any necessary reports, approvals or procedural steps can be identified before the transaction progresses too far.

Yes. We can advise on property matters that arise throughout the period in which your organisation owns or occupies premises, including lease renewals, variations, assignments, licences, repair obligations and disputes.

Taking advice as issues arise can help your organisation manage its property interests effectively and identify potential liabilities before they develop into more significant problems.

What our Clients Say

See what our customers have to say about their experience

Review Solicitors Stars
5/5 350+Reviews
Anonymous
01/10/2023
The DTM Legal LLP are one of our charity’s most valued legal skill donors. We can rely 100% on DTM Legal’s support. They are always quick to respond and very efficient and thorough in their work. They set out the parameters to which they are able to offer pro bono support and have a personable approach, which puts the charities at ease, during what can be stressful situations.
Dianne Parrish
26/05/2026
Alison and her colleagues at DTM Legal have provided legal support and peace of mind for a wide range of organisations consistently over many years. Expertise, solutions and guidance delivered promptly with clarity.
Anonymous
01/10/2023
Our initial key contact has been such a pleasure to work with, Alison Brennan. Alison always responds to email requests promptly and, wherever possible, will offer to help either directly, if the skills request is within her area of expertise, or she will facilitate support from her colleagues in other departments, within the DTM Legal practice. Our charities are always very happy with Alison, Kate and their respective teams’ support.

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