Landlords and tenants should seriously consider appointing a surveyor when dealing with dilapidations, Redditch commercial property agent John Truslove has warned.

That is because thousands of pounds can be at stake.

Ben Truslove, a director at John Truslove, said: “Recently we were instructed on behalf of a tenant who had received a dilapidations claim for over £20,000.

“We were unable to reach an agreement with the landlord and as a result the matter was referred to a third party. The arbitrator agreed with our case and ruled that the tenant should pay absolutely nothing.

“We saved them a significant sum of money and the landlord was required to meet our professional costs. Needless to say our clients were extremely pleased with the result.”

We also act on behalf of Landlords, both private and institutional, seeking to ensure that the Schedule of Dilapidations is accurate in the first instance to and minimise unnecessary and costly negotiations.

So what are dilapidations exactly?

They relate to the condition a property is left in – disputes often arise as a result between landlords and tenants. Especially as case law goes back more than 100 years.

Tenants enter commercial leases usually agreeing to keep the premises in repair. If they do not, landlords have the ability to serve a schedule of dilapidations on a tenant, itemising the alleged breaches. It is then up to the tenant to undertake the repair work or reach a suitable financial settlement with the landlord.

If the tenant refuses to accept they are at fault and believes the landlord is being unreasonable, then all too frequently an impasse develops.

Landlords and tenants will normally in such circumstances be advised by a specialist surveyor or property consultant such as John Truslove.

Mr Truslove said: “Dilapidations claims can be substantial and it is critical that tenants fully understand their obligations."

“Whether acting on behalf of a Landlord or a Tenant, it is essential to read and understand the lease alongside the physical condition of the property in order to determine the standard of repair that is appropriate.

“We are able to use our experience and technical knowledge to give them a professional opinion on where they stand.”