Our Property Articles
Property Valuations That Work for You
When people hear the phrase “property valuation”, they often assume it is simply a matter of putting a number on a home or building. In reality, a proper valuation is far more than that. It is a professional opinion built on evidence, judgement, market context, and...
Boundary Surveying Deep Dive
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...
Don’t Underestimate the Threat of Trees on Your Home
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...
Typical Home Survey Defects We Find in Flats
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...
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...