Dilapidations Expert Witness

Dilapidations Expert Witness Surveyors

When a dilapidations claim cannot be settled by negotiation, both landlord and tenant need expert evidence that will withstand scrutiny — on the breaches, on the cost of the works, and critically on whether the claim is capped by section 18(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 or defeated by the landlord’s intentions for the building. Prince Surveyors provides CPR Part 35 compliant dilapidations expert reports for commercial landlords, tenants and their solicitors across London and the Home Counties.

Issues Our Reports Address

• Liability: construction of repairing, decorating, reinstatement and yielding-up covenants against the actual condition of the premises.
• Quantum: costed schedules of the works reasonably required, benchmarked against genuine tender evidence rather than aspiration.
• The statutory cap: diminution valuations under section 18(1), and whether supersession or redevelopment intentions extinguish parts of the claim.
• Procedure: compliance with the Dilapidations Protocol, quantified demands and diminution valuations exchanged at the right time.

Acting for Landlords and Tenants

We take instructions from both sides of the market — preparing and defending terminal schedules through our dilapidations practice — and that balance shows in our expert work. A report that concedes the weak points and proves the strong ones settles claims; advocacy dressed as expertise does not.

What You Receive

A Part 35 report with a Scott schedule where directed, photographic condition evidence, costings with their sources, a reasoned section 18 analysis prepared with our RICS registered valuers where diminution is in issue, joint statements with the opposing expert, and oral evidence at trial or arbitration if required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a building surveyor or a valuer?

Frequently both: a building surveyor for breach and cost, a valuer for the section 18 cap. Because we hold both disciplines in-house, the two strands arrive consistent and on time.

Can you advise before lease end?

Yes — early advice on exit strategy and reinstatement obligations routinely saves tenants multiples of the fee.

Call 0204 579 8270 or contact us online to discuss your dilapidations dispute.