A schedule of dilapidations is a written document usually prepared by the Landlord's surveyor which details breaches of the lease and requires the tenant to carry out repairs, redecoration and in some cases remove alterations. They may be served during or after a lease has finished. Surprisingly, in many cases tenants are not aware of the full extent of their obligations under the contract they signed.
If you are searching for premises or are about to sign a lease and have not received advice from a chartered surveyor or solicitor - STOP. A lease is a binding contract and you must understand exactly what it says, otherwise you could be committing your company or yourself to repairing someone else's property and significant liabilities. Most leases are different and the exact wording is critical.
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Dilapidation Reports
Geoffrey Hunt Building Surveying Services provides services to assist Landlords and tenants at the end of tenancy when dilapidations are negotiated. All reports and schedules are formatted in accordance with the RICS dilapidations protocol with detailed photographs of the areas in breach and costs. If you are a landlord we can assist you when you come to issue the end of lease notice and in serving the Dilapidation Schedule to best protect your investment. If you are a tenant we can negotiate an appropriate settlement and help you plan your exit strategy to limit your liabilities.
Exit Strategy Advice for Tenants
Planning your exit from a tenancy can save thousands of pounds and early involvement of the landlord can make for a smooth transition. If you have made alterations to the building you will need to carefully consider the consequences to the final cost of departure. Leaving the issue of Dilapidations to the last day of the lease can be very expensive and we always recommend you seek advice at least 6 months prior to departure.
Statute
The following legislation impacts on the way in which dilapidations are served, capped and, in some cases, defined. All schedules and notice must pay close regard to these Acts
- Law of property Act 1925
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1927
- Leasehold Property Repairs Act 1938
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
