Commercial
Schedule Of Condition.
Protect yourself from damages claims and record the property’s condition with a schedule of condition.
What is a Schedule Of Condition?
A Schedule of Condition is a comprehensive and factual record detailing the current state of a property. This document is typically prepared for contractual purposes to establish the condition of a building at a specific point in time—often at the start of a lease agreement or in party wall agreements. Fourth Wall Building Consultancy offers expert Schedule of Condition surveys for both residential and commercial properties, ensuring an accurate and detailed assessment.
If you’re a business taking on a new lease or a landlord leasing out your premises, a schedule of condition can prove very valuable in documenting the condition of the property at the time of taking occupancy, protecting your interests and assets in the future. A schedule of condition includes a detailed inspection of the property, with a photographic report then issued to you documenting the condition of the property inside and out.
An annotated photographic schedule of condition gives you the highest level of detail about a property, ensuring you’re protected against excessive dilapidations or damages claims in the future and ensuring the lease is appropriately benchmarked against the condition of the property, protecting you against future claims.
Who Can Instruct a Schedule of Condition?
A Schedule of Condition can be commissioned by various parties, including:
- Landlords
- Tenants
- Employers
- Contractors
- Neighbours
Engaging an independent expert like Fourth Wall Building Consultancy to complete the Schedule of Condition adds authority and reliability to the record, which can be crucial during disputes, claims, or negotiations.
Schedule of Condition vs Condition Survey: What’s the Difference?
It’s important to distinguish between a Schedule of Condition and a Condition Survey:
- Schedule of Condition: A detailed record with descriptive annotations and photographic evidence of a property’s condition at a specific date, often appended to a legal document such as a lease or Party Wall Award.
- Condition Survey: Focuses on identifying the overall condition of a property and recommending any necessary repairs or maintenance works.
What Does a Schedule Of Condition Survey Include?
A thorough physical inspection of the property, including the interior and exterior and party walls where applicable.
A tailored detailed report including a description of the property’s construction, and its current condition, based on your specific needs.
A photographic record of any defects and damages found along with detailed annotations.
Advice if needed regarding the liabilities for any current and future damages or dilapidation claims. This would usually take the form of a Pre-Lease Survey.
Ongoing, independent and tailored advice from our team of experienced chartered surveyors whenever you may need it.
Why Choose Fourth Wall?
At Fourth Wall Building Consultancy, we provide expert, impartial, and detailed Schedule of Condition reports, tailored to your specific needs. Our experience across residential and commercial sectors means you can rely on us for accurate, clear, and legally sound property condition records. Contact us today to schedule your professional Schedule of Condition survey and protect your interests with a trusted building consultancy.
A well-prepared Schedule of Condition is one of the most effective ways to protect all parties in a property agreement. It provides a clear, unbiased record of the building’s condition—removing ambiguity and reducing the risk of costly disputes down the line.
Joshua Weston BSc(Hons) MRICS, Director – Fourth Wall Lead Director
RICS Appointed Member of the Professional Group Panel for Building Surveying & Building Control
Why is a Schedule of Condition Important?
A professionally prepared Schedule of Condition offers several benefits:
- Provides clear, photographic evidence of the property’s condition at the start of a lease or construction work.
- Defines tenant repair obligations accurately, helping to avoid disputes at lease end.
- In Party Wall Act 1996 scenarios, serves as key evidence to assess any damages caused by nearby construction or building works.
- Helps all parties manage risks by establishing a baseline condition of the property.
How is a Schedule of Condition Prepared?
There is no one-size-fits-all format for a Schedule of Condition; it is tailored based on the property type and the reason for the survey. Following best practices (including RICS Party Wall guidance notes), a robust Schedule of Condition should include:
- Purpose and scope of the Schedule of Condition
- Location details and extent of the property surveyed
- Description of property construction and materials
- Clear identification of what is included or excluded in the survey, referencing relevant lease clauses if applicable
- Plans or drawings used during the survey
- Detailed photographic evidence
- An itemised record of the condition and construction of building elements, noting any existing defects.
Legal Importance of a Schedule of Condition
For legal enforceability, the Schedule of Condition should be explicitly referenced within contractual documents like leases or Party Wall Awards. Simply holding the document on file is not sufficient; direct incorporation ensures clarity and protection for all parties involved.
Ready to take the next steps?
Book Your Schedule Of Condition Survey
We’ve torn down the traditional, jargon-heavy surveying model to create a service to suit you. Rely on our team of RICS surveyors to accurately detail every inch of your property, and for follow-up advice should you need it in future. If you’d like to get in touch for a free consultation and quote, please click the button below. Alternatively, contact us by phone or email and we’ll get back to you.
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Schedule Of Condition FAQs
Browse some of the common questions that our team are asked when it comes to choosing the survey that’s right for you.
How Much Does a Schedule of Condition Cost?
Due to the nature of our industry, there is no set cost for a schedule of condition. The price will vary based on size and complexity of the property so please get in touch with a member of the Fourth Wall team for a free consultation and no-obligation quote, tailored to your specific needs.
Are Schedules Of Condition Normal to carry out?
Yes, having a schedule of condition undertaken before signing your lease is both common and recommended to most Tenants to protect you against dilapidations claims in the future. Landlords can also benefit from having a Schedule of Condition to clearly outline the standard to which the property should be maintained during a lease or returned to at lease expiry.
A schedule of condition is most often used for commercial lease agreements, but they are also prepared before work begins on a party wall or property boundary. If you’d like to find out more about party wall agreements, visit our party wall survey service page.
Who Prepares the Schedule Of Condition?
Your schedule of condition is completed in house by our chartered surveyors. By appointing an independent surveyor, such as ourselves, your Schedule of condition will be held to a higher standard against claims and can be used in dilapidations negotiations in the future. We’ll negotiate with the other side’s surveyors to ensure we’re all happy to the property condition recorded.
Can I Make a Schedule Of Condition Myself?
Although you could complete a schedule of condition yourself, there’s a lot more to it than taking photographs. An independent chartered surveyor has the experience and expertise needed to accurately record and negotiate on the property’s condition. Not only will this save you time, but an independent schedule of condition will stand up better against excessive damages and dilapidations claims – which could end up saving you money in the long run.
What is a Schedule of Condition For a Party Wall?
Schedule of conditions are used during a party wall agreement to essentially take a ‘snapshot’ of the shared property boundary before and after construction commences. This ensures that no damage has been caused to the neighbouring properties, as well as ensuring that the party wall agreement has been executed accordingly. A schedule of condition for a party wall is not required by law, however it acts as a safety net for both parties should issues arise.
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