Dilapidations issues most commonly arise when a tenant fails to comply with its contractual leasehold obligations. The complexity of buildings coupled with the difficulty in interpreting leases has spawned countless disputes and court cases, which can make the business of determining exactly what liability exists a demanding one. As market leaders in this field Malcolm Hollis carries out much more of this work than any other UK firm. Why? Because we have a proven track record in negotiating successful solutions for our clients.
Experience
We are acknowledged dilapidations experts: no other firm can match our experience and standing in this field, but why are we so successful? The reason is two-fold. Firstly, our knowledge of this complex area of law is unsurpassed: we have dealt with thousands of dilapidations instructions, with claim values ranging from a few thousand to many millions of pounds. Secondly, we are equally accomplished at applying our knowledge and experience in identifying the optimal strategy and realising the best possible outcome for our clients through negotiation.
The breadth of our experience is also reflected in our client base. Our clients include quoted and private property companies, pension and other fund managers as well as major financial institutions (whether as owners or occupiers) and many service providers, retailers and leisure operators.
The expertise required needs careful nurturing and we have an ongoing programme both in the recruitment of leading professionals and top calibre graduates so that we can continue to grow and improve our service.
Knowledge and Creativity
Since its inception Malcolm Hollis has been closely involved in developing policy and guidance through the RICS. Our association with other professional bodies together with our strong links with many of the industry’s leading practitioners, including eminent barristers and solicitors, ensures that we are always fully abreast of the latest developments. We always aim to set the agenda on industry thinking and new ideas, influencing the market as a whole.
Our focus on research, and the sheer volume of dilapidations instructions we undertake, has enabled us to generate a comprehensive database of dilapidations settlement information. The database means that, in many cases, we can predict with accuracy the likely outcome of a dispute. Increasingly our clients are benefiting from our unique resource – for instance, perhaps being in a position to outbid their competitors for a property because of the impact that dilapidations forecasting can have on property valuation. In difficult market conditions the performance of property assets are closely scrutinised and future dilapidations settlement predictions can be highly influential to investment decisions.
Of course, we aim to give the very best advice in order to secure the most favourable outcome possible. Through identifying precisely what our clients’ objectives are from the outset, and in examining thoroughly the claim as a whole, it’s not unknown for us to advise our client to take quite a different course of action from that they may have expected.
Speed
We recognise the desire to determine claims quickly in the modern commercial world and we’re adept at identifying the most appropriate strategy to achieve this where required. Importantly, in doing so client care remains our priority and we will never sell clients short on any deal. The old adage that “time is money” does not, however, always apply in dilapidations. Flexibility is the key and for every single instruction, no matter how large or small, our advice is always tailored to suit individual clients’ needs.
Dilapidations Products
- Prepare interim claim for landlord
- Prepare terminal claim for landlord
- Interim defence for tenant
- Terminal defence for tenant
- Negotiate financial settlement for landlord
- Negotiate financial settlement for tenant
- Negotiate scope of works for tenant
- Monitor works for landlord
- Break clause advice
- General strategy advice/implementation/Section 18
- Assessment of dilapidation liability for tenant
- Assessment of dilapidation liability for landlord
- Portfolio dilapidations management for landlord
- Portfolio dilapidations management for tenant
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