Setting Up a Squat Dental Practice: Key Property and Legal Considerations

Opening a squat dental practice can be an exciting opportunity for dentists looking to establish a practice tailored to their own vision. Unlike purchasing an existing practice, a squat practice involves setting up from scratch, often in premises that have not previously been used for dental services. While this offers flexibility, it also brings a range of property and legal considerations that must be addressed early on.

At Buxton Coates Solicitors, we regularly advise dental professionals on the property and corporate aspects of establishing squat practices, helping to ensure the process runs smoothly from the outset.

Why Property Matters

The premises chosen will underpin almost every aspect of a dental practice, from patient accessibility and regulatory compliance to future expansion or sale. Early property decisions can have long-term legal and financial implications, making it essential to obtain specialist advice before committing to a site.

Choosing the Right Premises

Not all commercial properties are suitable for use as a dental practice. Planning permission or a change of use may be required, and restrictive covenants, landlord controls or local authority conditions can limit how a premises is used or altered. Accessibility requirements, including disabled access, may also necessitate physical alterations, which must be legally permitted and properly documented.

Leasehold and Freehold Considerations

The lease must allow dental use and should allow the tenant to carry out the fit-out works at the premises. Before you carry out the works to the premises you will need the landlord to agree to this work. This is done by providing the schedule of works you intend to carry out to the landlord to check and approve. This is important as it will set out clearly the works to be carried out and in turn this will avoid disputes with your landlord. 

For freehold purchases, thorough title investigations are equally important to identify any rights, restrictions or access issues affecting the property.

Planning Permission and Fit-Outs

Planning permission can be one of the biggest hurdles when setting up a squat practice and should be addressed as early as possible to avoid costly delays and potentially abortive fit out costs. Once planning is secured, fit-out works must comply with conditions set out in the planning document.

CQC and Corporate Considerations

Although CQC registration is not strictly a property matter, the suitability of the premises plays a key role in the registration process. Delays in property readiness can directly affect registration timelines and postpone opening.

It is also vital that the correct legal entity is in place and that provider details align with the property arrangements.

How We Can Help

Setting up a squat dental practice involves much more than finding a premises. At Buxton Coates Solicitors, our property and corporate teams work closely to support dental professionals at every stage, from initial title review and lease negotiation to planning advice and CQC registration support.

If you are considering opening a squat dental practice, please contact us on 0330 088 2275 or email info@buxtoncoates.com to discuss how we can assist.