Thorough Schedule of Dilapidations & Large Claim - Kent

This modern but dated three storey office block in Ashford had been vacated by a public sector client who had made extensive internal alterations and subjected the property to very considerable wear and tear. A detailed survey resulted in a comprehensive Schedule of Dilapidations running to hundreds of items.

These were costed and a claim built up. Extensive negotiations including a site meeting with the tenant’s professional advisors and consideration of the VAT position resulted in a six figure settlement which was applied by the landlord to repair the building ready for re-letting. Much of the cost in this case related to reinstating the building back to its original configuration as required by the license for alterations.

Insurance Reinstatement Claim For Two Church Fires, Kent

On the same evening, two church fires were started deliberately in unconnected locations in Kent, one causing localised damage to the interior of the church and extensive smoke blackening and the second causing extensive damage to the stage and ceiling of a church hall and destruction of the oak plank flooring.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors were asked by the church to deal with both incidents, assessing the extent of the damage, much of which was caused by fire brigade water and by smoke, and to arrange the necessary repairs in collaboration with the insurance company as quickly as possible.

In the case of the church, a complete redecoration was needed due to smoke damage.   This was costly because of the need for internal scaffold but gave the opportunity to refresh the church colour scheme and to improve the lighting.   Certain exterior works of maintenance were undertaken at the same time and minor schemes of improvement were also discussed.

In the case of the church hall, reinstatement was required in the existing configuration and this necessitated replacement of the hardwood flooring at substantial expense.   The opportunity was taken to refresh the colour scheme, to provide a new enclosed storage area for tables and chairs and to upgrade the kitchen area to modern hygiene standards.

Estimating Cost for Schedule of Dilapidations - Ashford

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors, acting for the tenant of an Ashford, Kent warehouse unit, were asked to advise on the contemplated assignment of the lease.

Naturally, the firm considering taking the assignment wanted to know the financial costs of the dilapidations liability that they would be taking on and Metcalfe Briggs put forward a proposed figure.

Our client wished for a firm figure having received a Schedule of Dilapidations from his landlord.

Metcalfe Briggs advised that the landlord’s Schedule of Dilapidations, costed at £108,000, was high and it was possible to negotiate a reduced settlement at £36,000 which, in turn, enabled the lease assignment to proceed at a figure close to that envisaged by the assignee.

For further information please contact us or visit our dilapidations FAQ pages.