Our Property Articles
Terminal Schedule of Dilapidations: What It Means at Lease Expiry
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...
Supersession in Dilapidations: When the Claim Falls Away
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...
Interim Dilapidations: Managing Risk Before Lease Expiry
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 Dilapidations Protocol: Navigating the 56 Day Countdown
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...
Schedule of Condition: The Insurance Policy for Your Commercial Lease
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...
RICS Home Surveys for Flats
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...
Hidden Structural Risks in Homes
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...
Property Buyer Mistakes That Cost Thousands
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...
Choosing the RICS Home Survey in 2026
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...
Support Your Local Pub
The UK pub sector is facing a serious and on-going crisis with an average of six pubs closing each week over 2024. This hasn’t improved in 2025, so far close to 300 establishments in England and Wales have shut their doors permanently. While this hits the already...
Don’t Get Gazumped!
If you are a property purchaser, you will be all too familiar with the horror stories around being gazumped. We thought it would be helpful to take a closer look at this issue to help you avoid becoming one of the unlucky few who find themselves in this costly and...
A First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Purchasing a Home
Buying your first home is an exciting and significant milestone, however, it can also be an overwhelming step with multiple different legal requirements and various professional input required. We’ve put forward a straightforward guide to ensure that you’re fully...