Many tenants only think about obtaining professional advice after receiving a substantial dilapidations claim. By that stage, the landlord may already have prepared a detailed schedule and started negotiations. An independent surveyor can help a tenant understand what...
A large dilapidations claim can be difficult to assess, particularly when a schedule contains dozens of repair, redecoration and reinstatement items. The first mistake is often assuming that the figure at the bottom of the schedule is automatically the amount that...
Basement conversions, new foundations and other substantial excavations can raise serious Party Wall concerns. If your neighbour is excavating close to your building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply even though the work is taking place entirely on their land....
Commercial tenants frequently carry out alterations during a lease. At the end of the tenancy, however, the landlord may require those alterations to be removed and the property reinstated. This can create a significant dilapidations liability if the tenant has not...
“Wear and tear” is often raised when a tenant receives a dilapidations claim. A tenant may believe that the condition of the property is simply the result of normal use. A landlord may consider that the tenant has failed to comply with its repairing or maintenance...
One of the most common questions following a dilapidations claim is whether a landlord can recover money for repairs that they do not actually intend to carry out. The answer is not simply yes or no. Does the landlord have to carry out the works? A dilapidations claim...
Receiving a dilapidations claim can be alarming, particularly when the landlord is asking for payment for works you do not remember agreeing to. However, a dilapidations claim is not simply a list of works that the landlord would like carried out. The starting point...
Commercial property can represent a significant investment, yet buyers sometimes rely on a basic valuation or limited inspection before committing to the purchase. That can leave expensive defects undiscovered until after completion. What does a commercial building...
One of the biggest decisions when planning Party Wall works is whether the building owner and adjoining owner appoint a single agreed surveyor, or each appoint their own surveyor under a two-surveyor appointment. While both arrangements are designed to ensure the...
Buying a commercial property is a substantial financial commitment, and the condition of the building can have a significant effect on its future costs and suitability. A commercial building survey provides an independent assessment before you become legally committed...
