Property Consultant and Project Manager
Adjudicator Arbitrator Conciliator Mediator
Property condition survey
A property condition survey leads to a report describing the condition of a building at a particular point in time.
It is normally carried out at the beginning of a tenancy and is useful in assessing what problems preceded the lease and therefore, what repairs the tenant is responsible for at the end of a lease.
For example, it might say that there is a ‘crack in the wall’ – that is the condition of the wall. What caused it, or whether or not it is a serious problem, is not part of the condition report. That can be handled under the structural survey or structural report.
Construction on adjacent site
Another occasion to carry out a property condition survey is if there is a significant construction project happening close to your property that could potentially damage to your building.
The property condition survey can record the condition of your building before construction starts. If there is any subsequent damage to your property, you will have the evidence you need to proceed with a claim against the neighbouring developers.
Negotiating with developers
We had an interesting case recently when a client asked us to advise them regarding a development that was planned for an adjacent building.
We studied the plans and advised our client on how to fight them, if required. We talked about the likely disruption during the construction phase and the longer term effects owing to the proposed design of the new building.
The client asked us to speak to the developers and negotiate a plan that would be acceptable to both.
As a result of our discussions, and in return for not objecting to planning permission, the building was reshaped along the boundary with our client's property and its height was reduced by one storey.