If a tenant mistreats a property or fails to maintain it according to the terms of their lease, the landlord can issue a Schedule of Dilapidations. This process provides a much-needed failsafe for landlords, helping to protect their investment and clarify a fair, appropriate way forward. And for tenants, it helps to avoid nasty surprises – like being presented with a huge repair bill at the end of the tenancy.
What are the different types of Schedule of Dilapidations?
There are, in fact, three different Schedules of Dilapidations: Interim Schedule of Dilapidations, Terminal Schedule of Dilapidations and Final Schedule of Dilapidations. Broadly speaking, they all fulfil the same goal of setting out the tenant’s obligations to bring the property back up to scratch. The difference is they’re used at different points in the lease period.
Let’s take a look at the three options and see how they’re used:
Interim Schedule of Dilapidations (often referred to as interim dilapidations)
This first option is issued during the course of the lease, for example, if a landlord is concerned that proper maintenance isn’t being carried out. The aim of the Interim Schedule is to remind the tenant of their obligations and clarify what’s expected – thereby helping to nip any neglect in the bud and protect the value of the property, while also protecting the tenant from higher repair costs further down the line.
Terminal Schedule of Dilapidations
The somewhat more ominous-sounding Terminal Schedule is used towards the end of the lease, usually within the last 18 months to three years of the lease. This schedule of condition is often more detailed than the Interim Schedule, listing items of disrepair that need to be fixed before the end of the tenancy.
Final Schedule of Dilapidations
The Final Schedule is issued after the lease has expired, in the event that required repairs haven’t been carried out. Similar to the Terminal Schedule, this one will generally set out in detail what works are needed, but, as the lease has already expired by this point, the Final Schedule may also include the cost of lost rent while the repairs are being carried out.
Professional Support from Leading Chartered Surveyors
Managing dilapidations while maintaining a good tenant–landlord relationship can be especially tricky, so professional support is a must. Perry Hill’s team of chartered surveyors guides both landlords and tenants through the schedule of dilapidations process – from carrying out inspections and estimating costs, to issuing paperwork and giving trusted advice.
