Valuations
- A brief report giving a valuation of the property
- A detailed inspection is not carried out and will not highlight property faults or defects
Schedules of Condition and Dilapidation
This section applies to both Landlords and Tenants.
It is advisable when taking on or letting a lease to have a schedule of condition carried out
to all parts of the property affected by the terms of the lease. In most cases, the Landlord will
be responsible for external maintenance of the property (but this should be checked). The condition
of the internal areas should be carefully recorded by written report backed up with photographs at
time of taking on the lease.
If a Schedule of Condition is not carried out, it can come as a nasty shock at the end of a lease
when the landlord demands extensive work from the incumbent tenant to make good damage or return the
property to its ‘original’ state if the tenant has carried out any alterations.
A schedule of dilapidation is normally prepared by a landlord at termination or expiry of a lease.
It covers defects or disrepair which the tenant will be required to deal with or put right when vacating
the premises.
A properly prepared schedule of condition by a Chartered Surveyor will assist in reducing disagreements
on dilapidations at time of vacation.
CWA are experienced practitioners in preparing both Schedules of Condition at the outset of a lease as
well as Dilapidation Schedules at expiry.
* The Practice has experience in representing both landlords and tenants in negotiating
Party Wall Matters
*Building close to/on a boundary
Since The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 came into force, homeowners in England and Wales have
had to follow guidelines and procedures when building work involves a party wall or part fence wall. The Act
is designed to minimise disputes by ensuring property owners use a surveyor to determine the time and way in
which work is carried out. Independent surveyors act for the building owner and the adjoining owner. An independent
‘agreed surveyor’ is appointed should disagreements arise. The Act allows a property owner to carry out work
on, or next to a shared wall at the same time protecting the interests of anyone else who might be affected
by that work.
CWA Surveyors have experience in Party Wall matters which includes acting for either the building owner or
adjoining owner. If your neighbour intends carrying out such building work, you can often engage a Party Wall
surveyor at their expense. The procedures are tightly regulated and subject to formal notices. Please contact
us for advice.
Expert Witness
The role of the expert witness in arbitration and litigation is becoming increasingly important, and the
RICS is unique in having published a mandatory practice statement requiring its members to comply with all
rules of court and matters of best practice.
CWA have experience in preparing reports on a variety of building related issues including technical defects,
building conservation professional negligence in surveys and building works, defective building works, buildings
in disrepair and poor workmanship and boundary disputes. We can act for landlords or tenants in dilapidation
disputes advising on the merits of a claimant’s case in court proceedings or arbitrations.
We are regularly appointed by national and local solicitors for whom we act.
CWA are trained in Civil Procedure Rules. We take instructions as Party Appointed Expert, Single Joint
Expert or an Expert Advisor. Instructions are accepted under Legal Aid Schemes.