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The client occupied two floors within a 1970s office building. Watts provided an estimate of the tenant's dilapidations liability for financial purposes a few months before the tenant's lease expiry and prior to the landlord's schedule. The Watts worst-case figure closely matched the landlord's dilapidations claim, assisting the tenant in budget planning for their move to new offices. Watts subsequently used case law relating to the standard of repair and the possibility of the tenant having the opportunity to carry the works themselves as tactics in negotiation with the landlord. Watts achieved the tenant's preference of a financial settlement with a reduction in the claim of 52%.
Watts’ brief was to analyse all relevant documents including leases, licences and relevant details of the tenant's previous works. Watts inspected the premises to assess condition, bearing in mind the tenant's legal obligations. An estimate was provided for the tenant's dilapidations liability for finance purposes. An analysis of the landlord's schedule of dilapidations was carried out and Watts succeeded in reducing the tenant's liability.
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