Do you have a schedule of condition prepared yet? If not, then now is the time to arrange one before you finalise your commercial lease agreement.
This important commercial survey is done at the start of a lease to provide a clear overview of the property’s condition and the findings are compiled into a detailed report. The final report is then used to evidence the original condition of the building at a later date, clarify repair obligations, and protect the interests of both the tenant and the landlord when the lease comes to an end.
We work with commercial landlords and tenants to prepare this important report and help all those involved to avoid any unnecessary disputes, so secure a hassle-free end to your lease by arranging one today.
What does this survey include?
Our surveys are tailored to suit the needs of our clients and their properties, and whether we are contracted on behalf of either party, we will carry out a full assessment of the building and present our findings in a detailed report.
All of our surveys are conducted by qualified, experienced surveyors who will inspect all areas of the property, both inside and outside. As mentioned, these surveys are adaptable as needed, but they will include an assessment of the following:
- Walls
- Ceilings and floors
- Internal fixtures and fittings
- Doors
- External buildings and areas
To provide the clarity needed, the final report will contain detailed descriptions of all of these areas and photographic evidence of any existing issues which both parties will need to be aware of, including wear and tear from previous use. These surveys are done solely to record the condition of the building, not to identify any works required or to make recommendations based on the building’s condition, age, or intended use.
Who needs a schedule of condition survey?
Anyone who is involved in the leasing of a commercial property, whether they are a landlord or a tenant, will benefit from a comprehensive schedule of condition prior to the start of a new commercial lease.
Landlords
A schedule of condition primarily benefits landlords at the end of a lease term as it is a quick and incontestable way to compare the current state of a property to the state that it was in at the beginning.
Any changes to a property, including general wear and tear but also alterations or renovations, that are not clearly listed in the report will form the basis for any dilapidations claims and help landlords to decide whether the tenant is responsible for repairing any new damage or whether it was there before.
This provides landlords with a clear way to avoid end-of-lease disputes regarding dilapidations and a guarantee that the property will be returned to them in its original state. This in turn prevents any knock-on delays in securing new tenants and getting the property ready for them as all repairs will have been carried out in good time.
Tenants
Commercial tenants don’t have to wait until the end of their tenancy to see the benefits of these surveys as, using the evidence provided by the report, they can request that their landlord carry out repairs before the lease is agreed. This prevents tenants from having to operate in premises that don’t suit their needs or meet safety standards and also means that they are protected from any unfair claims or expensive obligations once they’re ready to move.
In the months’ leading up to the end of a lease, a report will make it easy to identify any repairs that need to be undertaken to return the property to the same condition that it was in at the time of the lease agreement. This gives commercial tenants time to clarify their responsibilities and dispute them if necessary, and plenty of time to carry out the relevant works before the lease expires.
What happens next?
The survey guarantees that those who are responsible for making the repairs and restoring the property to its original condition are required to do so before the lease comes to an end.
All parties are protected and aware of their obligations for a smooth and fair handover and our chartered surveyors will be on hand to provide the support and advice needed at any stage of the lease.
Make sure you fully understand the condition of the property you are about to rent, and your responsibilities for maintaining it, by booking an appointment with us today. Or, for more information, please fill in our contact form and we will get back to you.