Dilapidations is a term used to describe breaches of lease covenants relating to such items as disrepair, decorations and alterations. If these are the responsibility of the tenant, it will be their responsibility to put them back to an original state, Alternatively, the tenant can pay the Landlord an appropriate sum to do the works upon their exit.

Ideally at the start of a lease a Schedules of Condition has been taken to record the existing state of the premises. This can then be used by the surveyors to assess what alterations or disrepair etc have taken place. In addition to the lease, the tenants repairing liability can be confirmed.

As a tenant, it is advisable that before taking on a lease you undertake a Commercial Building Survey (Condition Survey). This will highlight any items that currently pose a cost risk or could do in the future. For example, if you are responsible for repair of the skirting boards, any damp issues could cause rotting and repair costs in the future. This type of report is a good method of negotiating money off the lease term or getting indemnity from likely problems in the future.

For more information surrounding this service please contact us on 0203 476 9561 or email us at info@blackacresurveyors.com