Dilapidations : service charges : landlord and tenant
Landlord and Tenant
Principally our services in respect of landlord and tenant matters cover:
- Dilapidations
- Service charge disputes.
- Licensing tenant’s alterations and monitoring works.
- Condition Reports
Our specialist, in depth knowledge of these matters and our care and attention to detail result in a professional service that is usually sufficient for both parties.
Dilapidations
Most property leases include a covenant that requires the tenant to return the premises to the landlord in a state of good repair. It is an inescapable fact that properties deteriorate. This sets the scene for a dilapidations dispute. The stakes can be high and dilapidations settlements can constitute the difference between the success or failure of an investment.
As expert and trained dilapidations specialists, we can act for landlord or tenant, preparing and defending dilapidations claims, either during or at the end of the lease. We also accept appointments through the RICS Dispute Resolution Service to act as an independent expert to resolve issues before or after the end of the lease term.
Our attention to detail and our trained mediation skills have led to good client satisfaction. Simon Crago has been a member of the RICS Dilapidations Forum since its inception in 2005. The Group includes members of the RICS divisions and solicitors who are linked by the common interest in dilapidations and the complexities of its law and practice.
We retain in-depth knowledge and research facilities in respect of dilapidations law and precedence, which can save money on lawyers and court fees.
Service charges
Our experience of lease analysis and being well-versed in the specialized area of law surrounding service charge matters allows us to offer services for resolving disputes concerning service charges.
Service charges are notorious for generating friction between landlord and tenant, but our advice frequently avoids the need for litigation.
Tenant’s alterations
Many leases require a tenant to obtain consent for any structural and non-structural alterations to a property during a lease. We advise on the preparation and agreement of the necessary licenses; on the reinstatement liabilities and monitoring compliance with agreed specifications, acting for landlord or tenant.
Our extensive dilapidations experience has allowed us to foresee where inadequate or ambiguous information in licenses leads to difficulties at the lease end, to eliminate these at the time of the license.
Condition reports
Condition reports can save a tenant many thousands of pounds if prepared prior to a lease and there is agreement in the new lease that the tenant does not have to leave the property in any better condition than at the start of the lease. We can prepare condition reports in suitable formats and agree them between the parties.