Chris Carr

Expertise 

Chris specialises in dealing with complex and high value residential conveyancing matters for housebuilders. This work involves assisting clients in development and disposal of housing estates and includes assisting with agreements to install estate infrastructure, disposals required by planning permissions, setting up contract packs to allow for the sales of new build housing and exit strategies for when the estate is complete.

Having previously advised housebuilders and housing associations in the acquisition, development, estate management and disposal of estate, Chris has built excellent relationships with clients who see him as a valued and trusted advisor.

Chris’ career has involved gaining experience in fire safety requirements and construction methodology giving him a different insight to other lawyers who act for developers.

How do you help clients?

• settle acquisition transfers and associated documentation to ensure a smoother sales process
• draft the sales pack for new home disposals, including inputting into the plan layout
• negotiate and agree infrastructure documents such as road and sewer adoption agreements as well as easements for services
• ensure the disposal of all parts of the estate in compliance with planning requirements
• ensure compliance with any agreements entered into on the acquisition of the estate, such as overage payments and payment of deferred payments out of proceeds of sale
• charge individual sites and portfolios to a lender to secure funding for further development
• plan a suitable exit strategy once the development is complete
• to resolve estate management issues such as covenant compliance by new owners.

Experience

1. Acting on the setup of a contract pack for a large regeneration project in Central London comprising nearly 1,000 new building apartments on a fully serviced estate and including affordable housing.
2. Acting for a client in the discharge and re-charge of its portfolio of housing stock to release equity and secure further development finance. 
3. Acting on an intense project within a short time frame to dispose of a large portfolio of houses and flats to a single buyer in the private rental sector.
4. Working with solicitors for a partner housebuilder to setup the contract documentation for sales on an estate our client and the other housebuilder were building together. 
5. Acting for administrators in the continued sale of new homes on a prestigious development for a housebuilder placed into administration ensuring a return on the lender’s investment.