Schedule of Condition Surveys
Secure your interests and mitigate risk with a comprehensive Schedule of Condition Survey. Our expert building consultancy team provides the clarity and strategic advice you need to protect your commercial property assets.
Whether you are a landlord, a tenant, or a property developer, our focus is on providing robust, strategic advice that helps you manage liability and prevent disputes down the line.
James Batey
Head of Building Surveying
Paul Magill
Associate Director
Richard Chandler
Associate Director
Get in touch with our team
Why Choose
Anderton Gables?
We understand that a schedule of condition plays a pivotal role in protecting your commercial interests. Whether you are a landlord, a tenant, or a property developer, our focus is on providing robust, strategic advice that helps you manage liability and prevent disputes down the line.
Our building consultancy team comprises chartered surveyors who combine technical expertise with commercial acumen. We don't just record the property's state; we provide insights that help you make informed decisions during property acquisitions, lease negotiations, and construction projects.
We are known for looking after our clients and providing accurate commercial advice. By documenting existing defects with precision, we establish a clear baseline, offering a cost-effective way to limit future liabilities.
What is a Schedule of Condition?
A schedule of condition is a detailed recording of a property's condition at a specific point in time. Its primary purpose is to create an accurate record of the property's condition, including any pre-existing damage, for use as evidence in future legal or contractual matters.
-
The detailed report typically consists of detailed written descriptions alongside a photographic schedule. This photographic evidence is crucial, providing a visual reference of the property's interior, structural elements, ceiling surfaces, and internal parts.
When a schedule of conditions is specifically referenced within a lease agreement or legal contract, it limits the tenant's repair obligations. Instead of being required to put the property into "good and substantial repair" (often improving it), the tenant is only required to return it in a similar state to when the lease began.
Without this accurate record, tenants on a complete repair and insuring (FRI) lease could be held responsible for repairing defects that existed before they moved in, potentially facing the full costs of repairs to structural components or items in poor condition.
Party Wall and Construction Projects
Beyond leases, a schedule of condition is essential in construction, particularly in relation to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Before works commence, a condition survey of the neighbouring property is undertaken.
-
This forms part of a party wall award and protects one or more parties. If damage occurs during construction, the schedule allows both the landlord (or building owner) and the neighbour to determine if the damage was pre-existing damage or caused by the works. This avoids potential disputes and ensures that any repair claim is fair and accurate.
Schedule of Condition for Commercial Property and Leases
In the realm of commercial property, the relationship between landlord and tenant is governed by the commercial lease. A schedule of condition is frequently attached to the lease to limit the tenant's liability for dilapidations assessments at the end of the lease term.
-
For property owners and landlords, a schedule provides certainty about the property's condition at handover. For tenants, it is a vital tool for risk mitigation. When a tenant takes on a lease, particularly an FRI lease, they effectively inherit the liability for the building's condition.
By conducting a thorough inspection and appending a condition report to the lease, the parties involved agree that the tenant need not repair the property to a condition better than evidenced in the schedule. This is essential for internal repair obligations and helps minimise potential disputes over the extent of repairs.
How a Schedule of Condition is Prepared
To ensure the condition report is robust and legally useful, it must be prepared by a qualified surveyor. At Anderton Gables, our surveyors conduct a thorough inspection of the location, noting every defect from minor scuffs to major structural issues.
-
The report includes detailed descriptions, notes, and high-quality photographs. We ensure that written descriptions are precise and that the condition prepared accurately reflects the site's reality. This level of detail is critical for property-related transactions and due diligence.
We tailor the report to the specific needs of the parties, ensuring that structural elements, services, and finishes are documented to an appropriate level of detail.
More services
Project growing beyond expectations? No worries – we’ve got you covered with a full range of services to support every stage.
Awards &
Recognitions
Schedule of Condition Survey FAQs
-
The period a schedule of conditions remains valid depends on its purpose. For a commercial lease, it remains relevant for the duration of the lease term and is used during the final dilapidations assessments. For construction projects, it is valid until the works are complete and any defects liability period has ended.
-
While it significantly reduces risk, it cannot strictly prevent all disputes. However, having an accurate record and photographic evidence makes it much easier to resolve conflicts quickly. It provides both the landlord and the tenant (or the parties involved in construction) with indisputable facts about the property's condition at the outset.
-
This is a matter of negotiation between the parties. In a commercial lease, the incoming tenant often pays for the survey as it primarily limits their future liability. However, costs can be shared, or the landlord may pay if it helps secure a tenant for a property in a poor state.
-
Without one, a tenant entering a full repairing lease may be held responsible for repairing existing defects. The landlord can argue that the tenant must put the property into good repair, regardless of its state when the tenant takes occupation. This can lead to significant unexpected costs.
-
Yes, while common in commercial leases, they can be used for residential or other leases where the condition of the property needs to be documented to protect one or more parties.
Like what you see? Let’s talk
Enquire About Our Schedule of Condition Surveys
Anderton Gables is based in the North West of the UK with offices in Liverpool, Manchester and Preston.
To arrange a survey for your commercial site, please get in touch with our team.
Alternatively, give us a call on 0161 696 3119 to find out more.