Dilapidations

Commercial property repairing obligations

Commercial Leases usually place repairing obligations on the tenant. These can sometimes be onerous and advice from an experienced Building Surveyor is essential if these are to be correctly defined.

At the end of a Lease a Schedule of Dilapidations is prepared on behalf of the landlord, listing the tenant’s obligations including repairs and redecoration of the property. We have acted for both landlord and tenant at the end of the Lease and our advice can include:

For the landlord

• Interpret the terms of the Lease to define tenant’s repairing obligations
• Inspect the property to ascertain current condition
• Prepare a Schedule of Dilapidations identifying repairs and costs
• Negotiate a settlement with the tenants
• Project manage the repairs and building works ready for re-letting

For the tenant

• Check accuracy and claim of landlord’s Schedule of Dilapidations
• Provide strategic advice on minimising likely dilapidation costs
• Negotiate settlement with the landlord’s agents

We have advised both landlords and tenants on a range of premises recently including shops, industrial units and warehouses with claims varying between £30,000 and £800,000.