First Property Consulting - Property Strategy - Acquisition - Disposal

First Property Consulting
1 Berkeley Street
Mayfair London W1J 8DJ
Telephone: 020 7016 9822
info@1stproperty.net

Click on the links below to find out more about our services:

•	Property Strategies
•	Acquisition
•	Disposal
•	Rent Reviews and Lease Renewals
•	Rating
•	Consultancy
•	Building and Surveying Services

Property is often the single largest overhead after staff and other human resource costs. The benefits of a planned and well-maintained real estate portfolio can be delivered straight to the bottom line.

The advantages of a well defined strategy are numerous…

More efficient use of property
Reducing exposure to risk
Lower property costs
Less surplus property
Increased flexibility
Realisation of latent value
Higher productivity

We will work with you to gain an understanding of your business plan and goals, undertake an audit of your existing properties and lease documentation and help to identify opportunities to reduce risk and cost.

We will help to prepare an accommodation or premises strategy and an implementation programme to deliver savings to your business.

Whether you are relocating your business to larger or smaller premises, or acquiring property for the first time, this is a potentially disruptive and time consuming undertaking for any organisation. We have a wealth of experience and market knowledge to help your business through this process.

Our acquisition service ranges from advice on property availability and cost– anywhere in the UK - to a comprehensive service including:

a critical analysis of your current and future space needs
a search of all suitable prospects
detailed financial and technical evaluation of options
and negotiation to secure the most favourable terms.

We also offer space planning, furniture procurement and fit out services – and can organise the entire move if necessary.

Click here to obtain a list of properties in your search area.

We have a great deal of experience in disposing of leasehold and freehold property throughout the UK and have handled a range of diverse projects from small office suites to a 200,000 sq ft headquarters development.

The key to our success is in ensuring director level involvement throughout. Accordingly, we will not accept an instruction unless we are confident that we can devote time and resources necessary to deal with the project effectively

We will prepare a detailed marketing strategy designed to maximise value and minimise unnecessary overheads and costs.

We can then either handle the disposal ourselves, or utilise and manage our extensive contacts within the UK property market to ensure that the resources committed to marketing your property are the most appropriate in order to achieve a speedy disposal.

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The timing of notices is often of vital significance to the review or renewal process and a pit for the unwary. As such it is essential to obtain early and expert advice on the subject.

Over the last few years, commercial rents have declined - in some areas significantly - and whilst many leases contain upwards only rent review clauses, it is imperative – if you are a tenant – to ensure that any rise is minimal, and - if you are a landlord - to make certain you have the best and most up to date evidence at your disposal to obtain the maximum uplift.

We have an excellent track record in this field – as our clients will testify – and will gladly work on a performance basis if required.

The renewal of a lease is an opportunity to reconsider, and possibly remove many of the more unfavourable terms of a lease – often agreed many years previously. If you are a tenant, you may even be able to agree a reduction in your rent.

We will undertake a review of your lease and advise as to your options before entering into negotiations on your behalf to settle the terms of the new lease that reflect the current market and latest good practice.

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Commercial rates are a complex issue and can put a significant financial burden on your business. Additionally, there are frequent changes to the regulations – not to mention revaluations every five years [the next is due 2005] making it essential to understand this liability and its implications.

How do you know if you are paying too much?
Do you know how you can obtain rates relief?
Did you know that you can challenge your rating assessment?

We specialise in representing occupiers on rating matters and can quickly undertake a review of your rates liability and advise whether there are opportunities to make savings, appeal an assessment or perhaps claim empty relief for unoccupied space.

Whether you occupy one property, or have responsibility for a number of different locations, our business rates service will be tailored to suit your particular needs and fees are usually performance based.

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Whether you are thinking of moving, or wish to make the best use of your existing property. Perhaps you need advice on a day to day issue or more complex matters -we believe we can contribute effectively to the success of your business, giving you peace of mind and saving you time and money in the process.

We often provide our clients with a consultancy led service offering a blend of independent, objective advice where and when needed.

Initial discussion and guidance is usually on a no fee basis – and if we don’t know the answer – we’ll find an expert from one of our many experienced consultants who do.

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For most projects we can provide a range of building services from inception to completion, including:

Feasibility studies
Space planning
Project management
Dilapidations
Defects
Refurbishment and fit-out
Move and migration management

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