Watts was appointed to make an assessment of the potential dilapidations liabilities with the end of the property’s lease approaching. Watts provided advice as to options available to manage the tenant's terminal dilapidations liability. Watts was pro-active in determining the new landlord's intentions and demonstrated that a proposed refurbishment of the building would supersede at least part of any possible dilapidations claim. Watts obtained competitive tenders for the works in order that these could be carried out before the lease end should an acceptable monetary settlement not be agreed.
Watts prepared a detailed assessment of the potential scope and cost of dilapidations works. It was revealed that planned refurbishment works could reduce the tenant's liability. Owing to the presence of an express clause in the lease allowing the landlord to recover the cost of works and loss of rent, Watts obtained tenders so the works could be carried out before lease end if necessary. Watts was successful in negotiating a favourable monetary settlement significantly lower than the cost originally assessed.