Blog
The Importance of Dilapidation Schedules
Wednesday 3rd July 2019
Carl O'Boyle BSc MRICS FCIOB MFPWS
We at Tayross Associates located in Pinner Middlesex were recently asked to provide advice on a Schedule Of Dilapidations for Television House in Eastcote for a client.
The client had been in occupation of the offices since 2003 and had recently received a bill for £56,000 worth of defects to the property once the tenancy had ended.
Although the client had previously leased another wing of the property they had never received such a high bill for defects at the end of that tenancy, perhaps because they had a really good relationship with the management agents at the time of the lease, whereas now these agents have been replaced.
Unfortunately, the client hadn't taken out an original Schedule of Condition when they took on the lease of the property which although is unfortunate is not the end of the world.
We visited the property with the client and we discussed the condition of the property when the client moved in and also events that had happened during the lease of the property i.e. leaking from offices above which had caused damage.
The costs allocated to the dilapidations in my opinion were excessively high and as a result we will be carrying out what is called a Scott Schedule. This will counter the charges by inserting what we feel are more realistic costs and also explaining extenuating in circumstances which are not the fault of the Lessee.
One cannot overstate the importance of having an initial Schedule Of Condition carried out when taking on the lease of a commercial premises. The cost of such a report ranges from £900 upwards but in circumstances like these they are a pre-requisite to agree on any tenancy.
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This article was written by Carl O'Boyle BSc MRICS FCIOB MFPWS. Carl is a full professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building for which he currently sits on the CIOB professional conduct committee and adjudications panel.
If you would like a Schedule of Dilapidations in London or the surrounding areas then please call us at our office on 0208 426 1448.
