Dilapidations Surveys

Dilapidations Surveys & Schedule of Dilapidations

Dilapidations Surveys & Schedules

ASL RICS Chartered Surveyors & Valuers

At ASL, our team of chartered surveyors provide RICS dilapidations services for both landlords and tenants. These lie among our commercial building surveys and commercial property valuations.

Whether for small shops or large industrial and office buildings, leases between landlords and tenants outline specific obligations for the repair, maintenance, and decoration of the property.

What is a Dilapidations Survey?

A Dilapidations Survey is a detailed inspection and assessment of a leased property, conducted to document its condition and identify any repairs or maintenance required under the terms of the lease agreement.

This type of survey is typically commissioned by either the landlord or tenant at various stages of the lease term, particularly towards the end or upon lease renewal.

A Dilapidations Survey is an essential tool in managing property leases, as it helps clarify the tenant’s obligations and ensures that the property is maintained to the agreed standard. It also plays a crucial role in avoiding disputes and protecting the interests of both parties at the end of a lease.

Key Components of a Dilapidations Survey

Condition Assessment: The dilapidations surveyor will conduct a thorough examination of the property, noting any damage, wear and tear, or deficiencies. This includes inspecting the building's structure, fixtures, fittings, and any alterations made by the tenant.
Lease Compliance Check: A comparison of the property's current condition with the standards set out in the lease agreement, including any specific obligations for repairs, maintenance, and reinstatement.
Schedule of Dilapidations: The findings from the survey are compiled into a document known as a Schedule of Dilapidations. This schedule details the items of disrepair, the required actions to remedy these issues, and estimates of the associated costs.
Negotiation Basis: The survey provides a factual basis for negotiations between the landlord and tenant regarding the responsibility for repairs and any financial settlements required to address the dilapidations.

What Is A Schedule of Dilapidations?

A Schedule of Dilapidations is a detailed document compiled following a dilapidations survey, which outlines the condition of a leased property, specifies any repairs or maintenance needed to remedy any issues, and their associated costs.

What Does A Schedule of Dilapidations Include?

Description of Disrepair: Detailed descriptions of any damage, wear and tear, or defects that need to be addressed.
Required Repairs: Specific actions that the tenant must take to rectify each issue, such as repairing, repainting, or replacing items.
Cost Estimates: Estimates of the costs associated with each required repair, which may be used to negotiate a financial settlement if the tenant is unable or unwilling to complete the repairs themselves.
Legal Basis: References to the specific clauses in the lease agreement that relate to the tenant's obligations for maintaining and repairing the property.

Landlord Dilapidations

Dilapidations safeguard landlords by ensuring that tenants adhere to the terms of their lease and return the property in good condition, ready for re-letting.

Benefits of Dilapidations for Landlords

Protects Property Value: Ensures the property is maintained in good condition, preserving its value and appeal for future leases or sales.
Legal Compliance & Evidence: Provides a detailed record of the property's condition, essential for legally substantiating any claims for repairs or compensation at the end of a lease.
Accurate Assessment of Repairs: Offers a professional assessment of required repairs or maintenance, ensuring tenants meet their obligations under the lease agreement.
Prevents Disputes: Helps avoid disputes with tenants by providing clear, unbiased documentation of the property's condition and any necessary works.
Negotiation Tool: Serves as a basis for negotiating with tenants, especially in settling dilapidations claims and ensuring fair compensation for damages or neglect.

Tenant Dilapidations

At the end of a lease, tenants are typically responsible for covering the costs associated with their landlord hiring a chartered surveyor to conduct a dilapidations survey and compile a schedule of dilapidations. Tenants are also liable for the expenses required to restore the property to the condition specified in the lease agreement.

Benefits of Dilapidations for Tenants

Ensures Fair Assessment: Any claims for repairs or maintenance are based on professional, impartial assessments rather than subjective judgments by landlords.
Facilitates Negotiation: Provides a solid foundation for negotiating fair settlements or agreements with landlords regarding the condition of the property and any required works.
Documentation of Condition: As a detailed record of the property's state at the beginning of the lease, it protects tenants from unfair claims for pre-existing conditions.
Minimises Liability: Potential issues can be identified early, allowing tenants to address maintenance and repair responsibilities before they escalate, minimising liability.
Cost Management: Tenants can manage repair costs effectively, avoiding unexpected expenses at the end of the lease term.

Different Types of Dilapidations Surveys

By ASL RICS Dilapidations Surveyors

The different categories of dilapidations help landlords manage their properties effectively, ensuring they are maintained and returned in a condition suitable for continued use or re-letting. Dilapidations surveys also help ensure that tenants fulfil their lease obligations and provide a fair basis for any claims related to property condition at the end of the lease term.

Schedules of Condition

Often conducted at the start of a lease, this survey records the property’s condition at the outset to establish a benchmark for its return condition. This can protect tenants from unjust claims at the end of the lease by clearly documenting the property’s initial state. It helps delineate responsibility for repairs and prevents disputes over pre-existing damage.

Interim Dilapidations

Carried out during the lease term, interim dilapidations surveys assess the current state of the property to ensure compliance with the lease terms. It serves as a proactive measure to maintain the property and manage obligations.

This type of survey can help tenants address issues early, potentially reducing costs and disputes at the end of the lease. In the event of a tenant not maintaining the property as per the lease agreement, an interim dilapidation schedule can be issued to rectify these issues for the landlord, while the lease is still active.

Reinstatement Survey

If tenants have made alterations or improvements during their tenancy, a reinstatement survey determines what changes need to be undone, restoring the property to its original state, unless otherwise agreed upon. This survey ensures compliance with lease terms that may require the removal of tenant modifications.

Terminal Dilapidations

Terminal dilapidations are conducted at the end of a lease to identify any breaches of the lease terms related to property condition. It involves a thorough assessment of the property to identify any damages or alterations that the tenant needs to address before vacating. The aim is to ensure that the property is returned in a condition that complies with the lease terms, typically “in repair,” “decorated,” and “clean.”

Final Dilapidations

Final dilapidations involve the final assessment and settlement after the tenant has vacated the property. This determines the financial compensation required from the tenant if they fail to carry out necessary repairs or maintenance as per the lease agreement. It includes the cost of repairs, reinstatement of any alterations made by the tenant, and potentially loss of rent if the property cannot be re-let immediately.

Manage Lease Negotiations Safely & Fairly with ASL

ASL’s team of RICS dilapidations surveyors provide reliable surveys, reports and advise on all aspects of dilapidations.

Our extensive experience in the commercial sectors allows us to minimise dilapidations claims when defending a tenant and maximise settlement returns when acting on behalf of a Landlord.

Why Choose ASL Chartered Surveyors & Valuers?

Expertise & RICS Certification

Our accreditation, extensive experience, in-depth knowledge of the commercial property market, ensures you receive the highest service with every valuation.

Comprehensive & Transparent Reports

We deliver clear and concise reports providing a complete picture of your commercial property’s condition, value, or life cycle cost analysis.

Accurate & Reliable

ASL deliver comprehensive and precise valuations backed by thorough research and commercial market analysis.

Client-Centric Approach

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we are dedicated to tailoring our valuations to your unique requirements, and answering any questions throughout the valuation process.

Hear From Our Customers

I got ASL to provide a valuation on a property I was purchasing and following their advice I was made aware of a number of repairs which resulted in a lower valuation than the agreed purchase price. I was able to negotiate a new purchase price saving £12,000. The service was quick, efficient and friendly.

Cannot fault the service received from Nick at ASL Surveyors. He ensured that the whole process was quick, efficient and stress free. I had my report back within a few days so I honestly couldn’t recommend him and this company enough. Thank you!!

I used ASL for my recent home purchase. Complete transparency and efficient communication was achieved throughout. I received my full report in a timely fashion and couldn’t recommend the company more to anyone looking to use their services.

We recently agreed a private sale on a bungalow in Gateacre, as there was no agent involved, we were advised to at least get a Home Survey. Gabriella arranged this quickly and we received the report a couple of days after the survey was done. It was really detailed but explained perfectly and the scoring system allowed us to understand it better. We had a couple of questions which James answered on a phone call a few days after. Excellent service throughout, thanks to all involved.

As a firm we highly recommend ASL Chartered Surveyors, rely on their service and we will continue to do so in the future. We have used ASL Chartered Surveyors for our housing disrepair clientele and they always deliver in accordance with the protocol. We are confident in the service ASL Chartered Surveyors provides, and we have always found them to be reliable, approachable and professional – they never hesitate to assist us and indeed our clients with any queries we may have collectively throughout the process.

I can’t fault the service we received and have had a really positive experience with the company. The guys carried out an extensive search on our property and provided a thorough report. On moving in we noticed a couple of issues that we wanted some more information on and contacted them to advise. Mal and Danny came straight out to do another check and were extremely friendly and helpful and gave us some useful tips on how to solve the issues. The service has been very professional and they are clearly a very reputable company to make a second visit and reassure us.