Boundary surveying is one of the most misunderstood areas of property practice. Many people assume that a boundary dispute can be resolved simply by looking at a Land Registry title plan and drawing a line where the red edging appears. In reality, boundary surveying...
Trees can add beauty, privacy, maturity, and value to a home. They soften a streetscape, improve outlook, and are often seen as a desirable feature by owners and buyers alike. But while trees can enhance a property, they can also present a very real structural risk...
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...
