Schedules
of condition
What is a Schedule of Condition?
This is a record document of the current condition of a property at the time of inspection. The aim being that if someone was to pick up this schedule and read it, they would understand the exact condition of the property without having to refer to photographs. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail when recording these schedules. We describe all visible defects and, for example, with cracks, we aim to describe the length, width and nature.
Why are they needed?
They are typically required in three scenarios:
- Party wall matters
- Licences to Alter
- New leases where the condition of the property at the time is relevant (e.g. the tenant is not required to leave the premises in any better condition than it was at the outset – that condition needs to be accurately recorded).
Why do they need to be exhaustive?
Schedules of condition may make great bedtime reading (we are effectively talking about descriptions of cracks in minute detail). However they are also extremely important. They are the reference point against which alleged damage is considered. In party wall and licence to alter matters, they protect neighbours from damage by neighbouring works, going unanswered. They also protect the person doing the work from spurious claims by neighbours “trying it on” or not perhaps having paid attention to every crack in their property until someone starts major works next door. Some surveyors will walk into a room and take some photographs on a mobile phone and label that a “schedule of condition” when it is nothing of the sort. Our schedules are descriptive, detailed and exhaustive. We hope the schedule never has to be referred to but in the event that it does, you will be glad you have it.
Do you also take photographs?
Yes. We usually take hundreds of them, sometimes thousands during one single inspection and we take them using a high quality digital camera that records the defects in sufficient detail that they can be enlarged on a computer screen and examined if need be. Having these can mean the difference between claims being resolved / dropped or becoming full blown legal disputes.