Commercial
Leeds Bridge House Leeds City Centre
Find out how our dilapidations negotiation and claim advice saved a charity tens of thousands of pounds when their landlord filed a substantial claim against them.
About the Project
Northpoint is a charity based in the centre of Leeds that takes a collaborative approach to mental health services. They have dedicated years to improving mental healthcare and helping thousands of people who are struggling with their own mental health every year.
The third sector organisation had occupied various floors of the famous local landmark since the 1990’s, at present occupying 4 floors of the 5 storey building, built in 1881. Due to the ad-hoc nature of the organisation’s expansion, each floor was taken under a separate Internal Repairing and Insuring leases with varying terms.
When they served notice to vacate the premises, their landlord presented them with a £140,000 dilapidations claim. We were formally appointed to assess and negotiate the claim on their behalf.
Key objectives identified at instruction:
Reduce claim to reasonable and practical levels;
Achieve settlement as early as possible prior to vacation of the premises;
No option to undertake works as not practical around ongoing operations.
Our Approach
We conducted a dilapidations assessment for North Point at the end of their tenancy as the landlord served them with a £140,000 claim. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, it is vital that a thorough inspection of the property is completed prior to a new tenancy or when a lease is ending. A Dilapidations Claim refers to the landlords assessment of loss by failing to uphold the terms of your commercial lease agreement. If a tenant has not fully understood or neglected their responsibilities as set out in their lease agreement, they can be liable for substantial sums of money when their tenancy comes to an end, or during the term.
Dilapidation negotiation advice and reduction strategy from Fourth Wall can help tenants to ensure costs are fair and proportionate. Reduce expenditure by being proactive and ensure compliance with the Dilapidations Protocol and they are compliant with the least terms. Engaging a professional presents negotiation opportunities and reduces the risk of potential legal disputes and costly legal proceedings.
The following services are included in our Dilapidations negotiation as standard:
- Detailed review of lease obligations and the current market conditions;
- Comprehensive inspection of all elements of the property within the lease demise;
- Bespoke and actionable advice specific to your situation;
- A dedicated surveyor;
- A summary of the claim position and strategy options to protect your negotiating position.
The Result
Acting for the tenant, we were able to negotiate with the landlord and reduce the claim by £77,000 a 55% reduction on the original claim within 12 weeks. As this client is a charity, that saving provides huge value for them and the work they do in mental health.
Fighting a large claim at the end of a lease may seem like fighting an uphill battle, but with a team of expert surveyors at your side, you may be able to reduce the impact of such a claim.
GET A QUOTEAt Fourth Wall Building Consultancy, we’ve reinvented building surveying, combining traditional RICS expertise with dynamic, client-focused service. We use cutting-edge proptech to deliver jargon-free, beautifully designed reports that speak directly to your needs.
