Dilapidations
R S Jones Chartered Building Surveyors are specialists in dealing with all aspects of dilapidations claims and advise both landlords and tenants. Dilapidations is a specialised field that requires the advice of experienced professionals.
Our Schedules of Dilapidations are prepared in accordance with the PLA Dilapidations Pre-Action Protocol and current RICS Guidance.
Schedule of Dilapidation
A Schedule of Dilapidation is prepared on behalf of the Landlord when a Tenant’s lease on a commercial property is coming to an end (Terminal Schedule of Dilapidations) or during the term (Interim Schedule of Dilapidations); a Schedule of Dilapidations is a report that investigates and documents the condition and state of a repair of a property.
The Dilapidation report will include details of any Tenant breaches of repairing covenants to the lease, the remedial works and action required to remedy this, and a breakdown of costs required in order to bring the building back to its original condition. Where a Schedule of Condition is prepared at the beginning of the lease term, the Schedule of Dilapidations will use this as a reference point for the building condition.
R S Jones Chartered Building Surveyors can negotiate the settlement on behalf of the Landlord; often, tenants will instruct Third-Party surveyors to negotiate on their behalf.
Once settled, we can also assist with the planning and management of the remedial and reinstatement works required.
Defending Dilapidation claims
It is not uncommon for tenants to be largely unaware of their repairing obligations associated with a lease, often only realising the extent of the agreement when the lease is approaching the end. Dilapidations can be complex, resulting in a potentially unexpected expenditure at lease expiry for an outgoing tenant.
R S Jones Chartered Building Surveyors can assist and act for vacating tenants who have received a Dilapidations claim, which they feel is exaggerated or unfair. As part of this process, we will review the Schedule of Dilapidations the landlord has prepared on their behalf and respond accordingly. Often, the process will involve a review of the Schedule of Condition and the preparation of our own Scott Schedule, which is required to negotiate the true cost of the repair work.
Beyond preparing reports, R S Jones Chartered Building Surveyors can negotiate final monetary settlements with the landlord’s appointed surveyor.