Plain writing on complicated things.
Commercial property is full of jargon, half-truths, and traps for the unwary. We write the explanations we wish were already out there — for landlords, tenants, and anyone trying to understand what's actually happening with their building.
Worth reading first.
5 common defences against dilapidations claims
Schedule of Condition, supersession, Section 18, fair wear and tear, betterment — the five most powerful tools in a tenant's arsenal when a claim arrives.
MEES regulations 2025-2030: what landlords need to know
EPC E now. EPC C expected by 2027. EPC B expected by 2030. The trajectory of commercial MEES regulations and how landlords should be planning for it.
Section 18 and the diminution cap, plainly explained
The single most misunderstood piece of law in commercial dilapidations. Section 18 of the 1927 Act caps claims at the reduction in property value caused by the breaches.
What to do when you've received a dilapidations claim
Don't pay it. Don't ignore it. The first 30 days after a Schedule of Dilapidations arrives are the ones that matter — here's how to use them.
Why is my building cracking?
Settlement, subsidence, thermal movement, structural failure — the four common causes of cracking, and how a surveyor tells them apart.
Why every commercial tenant needs a Schedule of Condition
The cheapest protection you can buy at lease start. A Schedule of Condition limits your repair liability to the documented condition — and it pays for itself many times over at lease end.
Do I need to serve a party wall notice?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 catches more building work than most owners realise. The specific works that trigger the Act, and what happens if you skip the process.
Supersession: how it reduces dilapidations claims
If your landlord plans to demolish, redevelop or substantially refurbish, they can't claim for works they were never going to do. Supersession explained.
Damp in commercial property: causes and solutions
Rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation. The diagnostic process for getting the cause right — because the wrong remedy makes things worse.
What happens without a Schedule of Condition
Without a documented baseline, every defect at lease end is potentially yours to fix. The real cost of skipping a Schedule of Condition at lease start.
How much should I budget for dilapidations?
Realistic ranges for tenant exit costs, by property type and condition. When to commission a Dilapidations Assessment to get a defensible figure.
What does a pre-acquisition survey actually cover?
Beyond the headline — what a chartered building surveyor looks at, what gets reported, and what you should expect to see when the report lands.
When is it too late for a Schedule of Condition?
You can usually still get one part-way through a lease — but the protection is reduced and the lease wording matters. What's possible, when, and why.
Why you need independent contract administration
When the same contractor designs, prices, and runs the works, conflicts of interest aren't hypothetical. The case for independent oversight.
Should I do the works or pay compensation?
When carrying out the works yourself beats paying a settlement, when it doesn't, and how to weigh up time, access, and your landlord's plans.
Signs your building needs professional investigation
Recurring repairs that don't hold. Defects that come back. Symptoms that don't fit the obvious cause. When to bring in a surveyor before spending more.
You've received a party wall notice. What now?
Your neighbour is planning work that affects your property. Your rights under the Act, the surveyor process, and what consenting vs dissenting means in practice.
The lease wording that makes a Schedule of Condition worthless
A Schedule of Condition without the right lease language is just a photograph collection. The specific wording that makes it legally effective.
Dilapidations: what to expect, when
From terminal schedule to settlement, the typical 3-6 month timeline of a commercial dilapidations claim — and the procedural steps that move it.
Party wall: who pays for the surveyor?
In almost every case, the building owner pays — for both their own surveyor and the adjoining owner's. The fee mechanics under the 1996 Act.
MEES exemptions: do you qualify?
A handful of statutory exemptions allow landlords to legally let sub-standard EPC properties — temporarily. Which exemptions apply, and how to register them.
Red flags when buying commercial property
The structural, legal, and condition issues that should give a buyer pause — and the ones surveyors catch that buyers don't.
What happens if I ignore a dilapidations claim
It doesn't go away. We've seen what happens when tenants try to outlast the clock. Court proceedings, default judgments, and irreversible cost escalation.
How long does the party wall process take?
From notice to award, the realistic timeline of a party wall matter — and the steps where delays usually appear.
Reactive vs planned maintenance: the true cost
The cost differential between fixing things when they break and planning ahead — and why portfolio owners get this wrong more often than they think.
What if a tenant disputes a dilapidations claim?
A landlord-side guide to dispute resolution: when negotiation works, when alternative dispute resolution helps, and when court is the right call.
How to improve your property's EPC rating
The works that move EPCs most cost-effectively, ranked by typical cost-per-letter improvement. Lighting, glazing, heating, insulation — and what to prioritise.
When should a landlord start preparing a dilapidations claim?
Earlier than most landlords think. The 12-18 months before lease expiry is where the strongest claims are built — not the 56 days after.
How to avoid building project disputes
Most construction disputes are made in the contract, not on site. The contract clauses, milestones, and oversight patterns that prevent them.
What happens if your neighbour ignores your party wall notice?
After 14 days of silence, the Act treats them as having dissented. The procedural route forward when an adjoining owner won't engage.
Using survey findings to negotiate the price
A pre-acquisition survey does more than tell you what you're buying. The findings reshape the negotiation — if you use them well.
Planned maintenance schedules: **what, why, how**
A 5, 10, or 20-year plan for keeping a building in good order. What goes in, how the costing works, and how landlords use them to budget.
Common mistakes landlords make on dilapidations
Inflated schedules. Cost padding. Failing to engage early. The mistakes that turn winnable claims into protracted disputes — and reduced settlements.
Party wall damage: what are your rights?
When neighbouring building work causes damage to your property — the Act's remedies, the surveyor's role, and how to recover the cost of repair.
EPC ratings and property value: the connection
The valuation gap between EPC-compliant and non-compliant commercial property — and the trajectory of that gap as regulations tighten.
A beginner's guide to dilapidations claims for landlords
Terminal schedules, the Dilapidations Protocol, the role of the surveyor, the route to settlement. A grounding for landlords new to the process.
JCT contracts explained
The Joint Contracts Tribunal forms underpin most commercial building work in the UK. The variants, when each applies, and what they protect you from.
Building survey vs valuation: what's the difference?
Lenders want a valuation. Buyers want a survey. They're different products, looking at different things — and the confusion costs commercial buyers money.
Can I claim dilapidations if I plan to redevelop?
The supersession defence cuts both ways. Landlords who plan to redevelop face restrictions on what they can claim — but the rules are nuanced.
Interim vs terminal schedules: which do you need?
Mid-lease enforcement vs end-of-lease recovery — the procedural and strategic differences that decide which schedule fits your situation.
Interim schedules vs repairs notices: when to use each
Two tools for mid-lease enforcement. Interim schedules quantify breaches; repairs notices compel action under the lease. When each applies.
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