Independent Schools Property

Our property team advise on the full spectrum of property matters for independent schools ranging from routine boundary issues and purchases to planning issues, estate management, large construction projects, refinancing projects and the charity law issues involved in such property transactions.

The range of property related advice we offer independent schools includes:

• acquisition and disposal of school property
• mergers, acquisitions and disposals of independent schools as a going concern
• leases to third parties
• property development projects including advice on planning / building obligations / construction procurement / uplift and overage
• housing arrangements with caretakers and staff
• bespoke hiring agreements and facility sharing agreements (including with maintained schools and public sector occupiers)
• advice regarding consultants’ appointments and building contracts in relation to school building schemes, including the related leasing structures and VAT efficiency
• portfolio reviews and bulk registration programmes
• bank re-financing projects (including using school land as security for borrowing)
• arrangements with utility providers e.g. telecommunication masts, electricity substations, solar panels