Professional

Valuations

We are official RICS regulated Valuers and we can provide reports on all types of property in accordance with the guidelines set out in the RICS Valuation and Professional Standards Red Book. We can report on land and buildings for purchase, probate, rating, finance and taxation, Charities Acts disposal or acquisition, liquidation or bankruptcy. We can provide an estimation of the reinstatement cost for fire insurance purposes based on the Building Cost Information Service criteria. We can provide figures for incorporation into Company Accounts and other financial statements. Our reports can also be used for investment and security purposes.

Homebuyers Service

We provide a homebuyer service for clients purchasing property. We carry out an inspection on the house, flat or bungalow you are contemplating buying and produce a concise report informing you of any defects which are urgent or significant or might need action or evaluation before you proceed with the transaction. The report is given to you on standard forms and, in addition to alerting you to any structural problems, we will also comment on the price you are paying for this property and give you an indication of an appropriate figure for fire insurance reinstatement costs.

Business Surveys

Taking a commercial lease on a property is effectively entering into a contract which can have obligations for repair. We can give you an appraisal on the property to ensure you know exactly what liabilities you are acquiring. Our comments and projections will reveal the potential liability that you may be taking on under your agreement and we aim to present the available facts in a clear and concise format for your consideration enabling you to make a balanced judgement on the property.

Block Purchase and Lease Extension

We have considerable experience in advising leaseholders and freeholders on the value of their property under the Leasehold Reform Housing & Urban Development Act. We can give advice both on acquisition of disposal of freeholds, or extension of leases in accordance with the Law. We can provide you with the formal report necessary for your solicitors to serve appropriate notices and if necessary assist you with negotiations on price. We have the expertise to make an appeal on your behalf to the First Tier Valuation Tribunal or, if necessary, the Upper Tribunal to make sure the best possible terms are achieved.

Landlord & Tenant

For commercial and business property we can help both Landlords and Tenants through the complicated procedures relating to renewals of commercial leases and rent reviews. We can advise you and also work with your other professional advisers to preserve your rights to renew the lease. The majority of these cases are settled by negotiation but if necessary we have the expertise to either put forward your case to an Arbitrator or to a Court.

Dilapidations

Both landlords and tenants are affected by the repair obligations contained in commercial leases. We are able to give comprehensive advice on the legal and technical aspects to protect your interests and in particular we can advise on:

• Schedules of Dilapidations at the end of leases
• Interim Schedules of Dilapidations
• Schedules of Condition
• Computations of claims for liquidated damages

Compulsory Purchase/Planning Blight

When Government Departments and Local Authorities decide to build new roads or improve existing Highways this can have a severe effect on your property and they do have the ability to force you to sell your home. We have unrivalled local experience in matters relating to compulsory purchase and blight in connection with road schemes. We have in the past given advice to owners affected by the A27 proposals both buying and selling and have also acted as consultants to the Highways Agency. We can help you stand up for your rights as a property owner and make sure you obtain correct compensation payments within the Compensation Laws. We can advise you on any compensation that may be due to you as a result of a proposed road scheme or completed schemes which are affecting, or might affect, your property.

Expert Witness Reports

We have extensive experience in preparing reports as Expert Witness in contentious cases. As a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Christopher Spratt has appeared in the High Court, County Court, Upper Tribunal, First Tier Tribunal and Local Rates Tribunal. We have experience of working with solicitors and barristers in preparation of clients cases on a range of matters from compulsory purchase through matrimonial, negligence and leasehold disputes. We are fully aware of the procedures relating to Court work and can assist you on all the surveyor aspects of contentious cases.