A Schedule of Condition is a report which records a snap shot of the condition of the relevant areas of a property by using text and corresponding photographs.
If you have been served with Party Wall notices or are planning to undertake works which will be within the remit of the Party Wall etc Act 1996, then a Schedule of Condition will protect all parties by enabling the comparison of the condition of the property before and after the completion of the notifiable works.
This can protect the Building Owner from unscrupulous claims for damages which were already present. Alternatively, a Schedule of Condition can be used by the Adjoining Owner/s to claim for any future damages caused to their property resulting from the works.
If you are a Tenant who is planning to sign a new Lease, then a Schedule of Condition is an invaluable tool which can be used to limit your liabilities against future Dilapidation claims from your Landlord. A Schedule of Condition will provide a record for the condition of the demised premises before signing a new Lease. This will enable you to challenge any future claims for damages caused by a previous Tenant and also prevent the Landlord from requesting for additional works which may improve the original condition of the property. This needs to be done and included within the Lease to limit liabilities.
Are you looking to take on a new Lease on a commercial property and if so does the property have areas which are restricted from view from the ground level? If this is the case the Drone Roof Inspection will allow a full inspection of these areas. This is paramount to ensure limiting your liabilities in the future as we will have a clear photographic record of these areas and this small additional cost now may save huge financial implications in the future. If you wish to book this in, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a legal requirement to have a Schedule of Condition prepared on the property?
While there is no legal requirement for a Schedule of Condition to be undertaken, this is a invaluable report which can be used as evidence to make or challenge future claims for damages to the property and subsequently, therefore limit your liability and potentially save significant costs in the future.
Are there limitations to a Schedule of Condition?
The Schedule of Condition is a visual and non-intrusive inspection and the areas inspected are limited to those which are accessible and visible on the date of the Survey. Where possible, access should be provided to all areas of the property and any large items of furniture or belongings should be removed to ensure that we can schedule as much of the property as possible.
At which point should a Schedule of Condition be conducted?
The Schedule of Condition should be undertaken before commencement of a new Lease and prior to commencement of any notifiable works under the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
How are defects recorded in a Schedule of Condition?
The Schedule will comprise a mixture of text to describe the defects as well as reference to photographs of any defects which were found at the time of the inspection.
Who is responsible for the cost of a Schedule of Condition?
Where works are undertaken within the remit of the Party Wall etc Act 1996, the Building Owner is typically responsible for the fees. Clients who are taking on a new Lease are responsible for the fees of the Schedule of Condition.