How To Choose A Professional Dilapidation Surveyor?

A professional dilapidation surveyor can evaluate a property's condition and report its condition. UK law recognises chartered surveyors and their reports for making dilapidation claims in court. As a landlord, you need a professional dilapidation surveyor to serve a schedule of dilapidation to the tenants. A professional surveyor can serve a schedule of dilapidation, making it a foundation for determining property conditions. However, choosing a professional dilapidation surveyor can be tricky. Some professionals only work in commercial properties, while others may be involved only in residential properties. Their expertise and negotiation skills in the field are also essential to consider. Learn what you should consider while choosing a professional dilapidation surveyor.

Dilapidations in brief

Dilapidation refers to a property's poor condition. Suppose a tenant keeps the property in poor condition or does not properly maintain it. In that case, a landlord can claim monetary compensation from the tenant for the disrepair. A tenant is responsible for properly maintaining the property and keeping it in the same condition as when it was taken on lease. A property survey can be done with the help of a professional property surveyor to evaluate the property's condition at the time of lease. A landlord can claim compensation for dilapidation if the tenant returns the property in worse condition.

Why do you require a professional surveyor to conduct a dilapidation survey?

Professional surveyors who conduct dilapidation surveys in the UK are regulated by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). RICS provides detailed guidelines for surveyors to follow and help landlords and tenants to resolve conflicts. If you hire a professional surveyor to conduct a dilapidation survey or prepare a schedule of dilapidation, it will be accepted by all parties. Chartered surveyors try to resolve conflicts mutually through negotiations. If the matter is presented before a court, the court will accept the schedule of dilapidation prepared by a professional surveyor.

How to choose a chartered dilapidation surveyor in the UK?

If you are a commercial or residential property owner looking for a professional dilapidation surveyor, follow the following steps.

Check for their registration with RICS

When you hire a professional surveyor, check the RICS official site to see if the chosen surveyor is registered with them. You can visit their official website, go to the Find a member tab under Networking, and check with postcode, town name, or surveying firm. If you follow this method, you can find the nearest professional surveyor or surveying firm. Checking their membership with RICS will ensure the authenticity of the surveyor and give you peace of mind regarding the quality of the work.

Ask for their specialised field

Once you have checked their registration with RICS, you can contact them to ask about their area of specialisation. Some professional surveyors specialise in domestic properties, while others may specialise in commercial properties. You should choose professional surveyors based on their area of expertise. If you are a commercial property landlord, choose a surveyor with experience in commercial property; otherwise, choose a surveyor with experience in domestic properties.

Check their past professional records.

Before choosing a professional dilapidation surveyor, ask for their past professional experience. Try to find details about their experience in the field. If possible, contact their previous clients to evaluate their professional capabilities. Strong negotiation skills are a plus for an experienced surveyor. Sometimes, a surveyor can handle negotiations with the tenants regarding dilapidation compensation. What questions should you ask before choosing a dilapidation surveyor? Before appointing a dilapidation surveyor, you may ask a few questions to understand his professional experience and working methods better. You may ask the following questions:

How many years of professional experience do you hold as a dilapidation surveyor?

Do you have experience in both commercial and residential properties?

Are you registered with RICS?

Do you follow their latest guidelines?

Do you charge your client a fixed rate, an hourly rate, or a commission on the total dilapidation claim?

Can you negotiate on behalf of your client, if necessary?

Conclusion

Landlords in the UK must conduct a dilapidation survey by a professional surveyor. A schedule of deliberation prepared by a chartered surveyor is recognised in UK law. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) formulates guidelines to determine the roles and responsibilities of surveyors. Before appointing a professional surveyor, you should check if they have a membership of RICS.

Chartered surveyors often have specialisations in domestic or commercial properties. You should select professional surveyors according to your needs. However, contact us if you need a dilapidation contractor to do the repairs. We, Dilapidation Contractors, offer reliable service to our customers across the UK.