Commercial
The Small Mill – Central Leeds
See how we helped a mental health charity based in Leeds to complete a dilapidations assessment, relocation support and lease negotiation.
Potential Liabilities identified
£150,000
Services Provided
About the Project
Our client Northpoint is a mental health charity that has a vision to provide beneficial mental health services for all. They offer an approach that is tailored for each individual, delivering effective mental healthcare to improve the mental health system in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.
Before moving to a new building, a pre-lease building survey was undertaken on their new location and dilapidations assessment on their existing base had to be completed.
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Our Approach
Our client was taking on new premises in central Leeds and required a pre-lease survey and dilapidations assessment ahead of agreeing their lease. Before signing a new lease, as a business, education provider or charity, it is important that the current condition of the premises are assessed to identify any repair, decoration or compliance obligations which might be particularly costly. This ensures that you’re able to either; negotiate repairs prior to your occupation or negotiate the terms of your lease to reduce future costs.
In this particular case, within our inspection we identified multiple areas where they would be liable for repair works, enabling them to negotiate with their landlord before signing their lease. As the tenant, any maintenance or repairs required during the tenancy will usually fall to you. By having a pre-lease survey completed, the results can be used to negotiate better lease terms, as well as helping you to understand your liabilities as the tenant.
A pre-lease survey with Fourth Wall features the following services:
- A comprehensive inspection of building fabric (internal and external)
- The identification of any major risks in the future
- A summary of the condition of the property
- A report outlining any problems that require attention and your dilapidations liabilities in relation to the lease
- Helpful, honest advice from a team of professional surveyors
- A dedicated surveyor
The Result
We were able to identify numerous elements of the property which under the standard terms of their lease would have created significant financial liability in the future. We assisted our client with negotiating works to be completed prior to occupation, variations in some of their lease terms and landlords contributions to key elements. We were also able to limit their repair responsibility by drafting and negotiating a Schedule of Condition of the property.
While it is not a legal requirement to complete a pre-lease survey, it can help to ensure that you get the best possible agreement for the property. Similarly, completing a dilapidations assessment could help with cost planning, negotiation opportunities and legal protection.
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.
