Dealing with Dilapidations
How to deal with the issue of dilapidations when you plan to move office.
How best to deal with the issue of Dilapidations
If you are planning to move office, you are likely to need to carry out dilapidations on your existing office and leave it in the sort of condition that a new occupier would expect to find it when they start a new lease. Most commercial leases contain a dilapidations clause, so it is important to dig out your office lease and review the extent of your repairing obligations before vacating the property.
Depending on the extent of the repairs and dilapidations, you will need to factor in enough time within your Moving Office Timetable to complete the works prior to handing over the property back to the Landlord. And also ensure that you have the funds within your Moving Office Budget.
Talk to your Landlord about what his intentions are in regards to the property, as this may limit your obligation to repair. Your Landlord may be selling the property or intending to carry out a complete refit himself, in which case, you can come to some amicable agreement and save on costs simply by discussing it through with him.
Your appointed Office Fit-out Company will be able to carry out the dilapidations on your behalf. Talk to them about what alterations need to be carried out and if necessary, show them photos of what the property looked like when you took occupation.
The key to successful resolution of dilapidations is foward planning. So make sure you review what repairs and works need to be carried out well in advance of your lease expiring in order that the dilapidations liability can be properly assessed and an appropriate strategy is put in place.
Find out when to review your dilapidations in the Moving Office Timetable.
