When inspecting flats and completing our Level 2 or Level 3 Surveys, many of the defects we identify are not significant structural failures, but the sorts of everyday issues that can still have a real impact on cost, maintenance, enjoyment, and future ownership. In...
Understanding Your Exposure Before the Claim Lands A TerminalSchedule of Dilapidations is the landlord’s formal statement of alleged breaches of lease at the end of a commercial tenancy. It is usually issued shortly after lease expiry and sets out the works the...
Understanding a Critical Legal Principle Supersession is one of the most effective yet misunderstood principles in dilapidations law. It applies where the landlord’s intended works after lease expiry render the tenant’s alleged breaches irrelevant. If the landlord...
Why Early Claims Are a Strategic Move Interim dilapidations are claims served during the term of a commercial lease rather than at the end. While less common than terminal dilapidations, they are becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly on longer leases or where...
The "Pre Action Protocol for Claims for Damages in Relation to the Physical Condition of Commercial Property" is the mandatory roadmap for all dilapidations disputes. In 2026, the UK courts have zero tolerance for landlords or tenants who ignore these procedural...
In the 2026 commercial property market, the most effective way to avoid a dilapidations dispute is to prevent it before the lease begins. A Photographic Schedule of Condition (SoC) is one of the most important protections a commercial tenant can have. It records the...
Receiving a 50 page RICS report can be overwhelming. However, this document is your most powerful asset in a property transaction. If used correctly, it can save you thousands of pounds or, more importantly, save you from a catastrophic investment. The Leasehold...
A property can look Instagram ready while harbouring defects that could cost tens of thousands of pounds to rectify. In a market where renovation costs have surged, a RICS survey is no longer just a recommendation. It is your financial shield. At Stokemont, we...
The UK property market is currently in a state of flux. With high interest rates and fluctuating material costs in 2026, the margin for error when buying a home is zero. Yet, many buyers still rely on outdated myths. At Stokemont, our RICS chartered surveyors see...
Buying a home is likely the largest financial commitment you will ever make. Yet, thousands of buyers still rely solely on a Mortgage Valuation, mistakenly believing it protects them. It does not. A valuation is for the lender’s peace of mind; a RICS Home Survey is...
