Dilapidations
Clear advice for commercial landlords and tenants
GP Surveys Ltd provides building surveying advice on repair, reinstatement and redecoration obligations arising from commercial leases. We assist landlords and tenants in understanding the condition of the property, potential liabilities and the practical steps available before, during and at the end of a lease.
Advice for landlords and tenants
Dilapidations liabilities depend on the lease, associated documents, the condition of the property and the circumstances of the instruction. Early building surveying advice can help define the relevant issues and provide a practical basis for the next steps.
For landlords
For tenants
We assist landlords in assessing the condition of commercial property and identifying potential breaches of repair, redecoration and reinstatement obligations. Services can include interim or terminal Schedules of Dilapidations, cost assessment, technical support during negotiations and advice on remedial works.
We help tenants understand and manage potential lease-end liabilities before expiry, a break date, assignment or surrender. Services can include liability assessments, review of a landlord’s Schedule of Dilapidations, budget advice, technical responses, negotiation support and planning or management of remedial works.
Dilapidations services
The precise service will be agreed for each instruction according to the property, lease stage and client’s requirements.
01
Schedules of Dilapidations
Following inspection and review of the available lease documentation, we can prepare interim or terminal Schedules of Dilapidations identifying alleged breaches, the relevant covenants and the remedial works considered necessary.
02
Tenant Liability Assessments
An assessment before lease expiry, a break date, assignment or surrender can identify potential repair, redecoration and reinstatement exposure, helping tenants plan their strategy, programme and budget.
03
Schedule Review and Response
We can review a landlord’s Schedule of Dilapidations, inspect the property and provide technical comments on the claimed breaches, proposed remedies and associated costs. Where appropriate, this can include assistance with a Scott Schedule response.
04
Negotiation and Remedial Works
We can provide technical support during negotiations and, where separately appointed, assist with defining, procuring and overseeing remedial or reinstatement works before the property is returned.
When to seek advice
Seeking advice early usually provides more time to understand the property’s condition, assess the available options and plan any necessary action.
Lease commencement
To record the property’s condition and provide technical input before occupation, including preparation of a Schedule of Condition where required.
During the lease
To review developing repair, maintenance, alteration and reinstatement issues before lease-end pressures arise.
Before expiry, break or surrender
After receiving a schedule
To assess potential liabilities, establish a realistic budget and determine whether remedial works should be undertaken.
To review the landlord’s claim, inspect the property and prepare an appropriate technical response.
How an instruction works
Initial review
We review the nature of the instruction, the relevant lease stage, available documents and key dates before confirming the proposed scope.
Document review
The lease, licences for alterations, schedules of condition, notices and other relevant information are reviewed within the agreed building surveying scope.
Inspection and assessment
The property is inspected and the relevant repair, redecoration, reinstatement and condition issues are recorded and assessed.
Reporting and next steps
We provide the agreed schedule, assessment or response together with practical advice on the available next steps. Further support can be agreed where negotiations or remedial works are required.
Discuss a project
Provide the project location, project type, current stage, proposed facility and anticipated reporting requirements. We will review the initial information and propose an appropriate monitoring scope.