[ Dilapidations ]
Dilapidations Advice for Landlords and Tenants
Dilapidations are claims by landlords against tenants for breaches of lease covenants relating to repair, decoration, reinstatement and yielding up the property at lease end.
CBC provides specialist dilapidations advice across the UK for landlords, tenants, solicitors and managing agents. We prepare schedules, respond to claims, lead negotiations and act as expert witness when matters cannot be settled.
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Trusted on Commercial Lease Matters
[ Who it's for ]
Who dilapidations advice is for
We act for both sides of dilapidations matters and are regularly instructed alongside legal teams.
Commercial tenants
Occupiers approaching lease expiry, break or assignment who want to control exit cost.
Landlords and investors
Owners seeking to recover legitimate losses for breach of repair and reinstatement covenants.
Solicitors
Property litigation and real estate teams needing technical schedules and quantified evidence.
Managing agents
Agents administering portfolios who need consistent, defensible dilapidations input.
Franchisors and franchisees
Networks managing multi-site exits and renewals across the UK.
[ When you need it ]
When to take dilapidations advice
- 12 to 18 months before lease expiry
- On receiving a landlord's Terminal Schedule of Dilapidations
- When considering or exercising a tenant break option
- On lease assignment or surrender negotiations
- Where ongoing breaches need an Interim Schedule mid-term
- When matters are escalating towards mediation or formal proceedings
[ Why it matters ]
Why dilapidations advice matters
Dilapidations claims can run into six and seven-figure sums. For tenants, an unchallenged claim can become a major unbudgeted exit cost. For landlords, a poorly prepared schedule can fail to recover legitimate losses or be undermined by Section 18.
Specialist surveying input ensures the schedule reflects actual lease obligations, supersession and statutory limits, and is supported by evidence that holds up in negotiation or formal proceedings.
Risks of getting dilapidations wrong
- Tenants paying inflated claims that do not reflect true liability
- Landlords under-recovering legitimate losses
- Schedules undermined by Section 18 diminution arguments
- Disputes escalating into mediation or court costs
- Strategic break or surrender opportunities being missed
[ Our role ]
What CBC does on dilapidations
We provide a full dilapidations service from initial advice through to expert witness, balanced by a clear focus on commercial settlement.
Schedule preparation
We prepare Terminal and Interim Schedules of Dilapidations referenced to the lease covenants and supported by photographic evidence.
Quantified demands
Schedules are costed using realistic market rates so settlement discussions start from a defensible position.
Tenant response
We review landlord schedules clause by clause, identify weaknesses, and respond formally on behalf of tenants.
Section 18 valuations
Where appropriate, we test the landlord's claim against the diminution in value of the reversion.
Negotiation
Most matters settle through professional negotiation between surveyors. We lead this on your behalf.
Expert witness
If a matter cannot be settled, we prepare CPR Part 35 compliant reports and Scott Schedules.
For landlords
- Robust, defensible Terminal and Interim Schedules
- Quantified demands using realistic market rates
- Negotiation strategy and settlement support
- Expert witness if matters proceed to formal dispute
For tenants
- Independent review of landlord claims clause by clause
- Identification of supersession and Section 18 arguments
- Practical exit strategy ahead of lease end or break
- Negotiation to a defensible commercial settlement
What you receive
[ Common situations ]
Typical dilapidations situations we handle
- A tenant served with a six-figure Terminal Schedule shortly before lease expiry
- A landlord recovering reinstatement costs after a heavily altered fit-out
- An office occupier exercising a break and needing a clean exit position
- A retail or hospitality operator surrendering a unit early
- A multi-site operator standardising dilapidations strategy across a portfolio
- A landlord and tenant disputing supersession on services or finishes
Dilapidations: frequently asked questions
In-depth guides on dilapidations and lease-end risk
Common dilapidations issues at lease end
Repair, reinstatement, decoration and Section 18 explained.
Landlord and tenant building issues
Resolving disputes through evidence-led surveying.
What is a Schedule of Condition?
The single most effective tool to limit dilapidations exposure.
Tenant leasehold property risk
A portfolio approach to managing occupational risk.
Dilapidations Across the UK
We provide dilapidations services nationwide. Select a location for city-specific information and local expertise.
[ What Our Clients Say ]
"CBC produced a detailed schedule of condition within days which helped us avoid potential lease disputes."
Property Director
Commercial Tenant Client
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Tell us about the property and the lease stage you are at. We advise tenants, landlords, solicitors and agents across the UK.