Here are some images of poor workmanship and defects taken during a Schedule of Condition inspection earlier this week.
A schedule of condition can serve to substantially limit tenant’s dilapidations liabilities at lease expiry but what if roof leaks became evident shortly after occupation causing internal water damage resulting in costly repairs and disruption to the business operations?
It will not be the landlord’s responsibility if the tenant has entered into a full repairing and insuring (FRI) lease nor will the tenant have an obligation to keep the roof in any better state of repair or condition as evidenced by the schedule of condition.
However, the tenant will still have an obligation to repair any damage to the internal ceiling finishes, electrical installations etc. caused by leaks. This will continue to cause disruption to the business until long term repairs/renewal of the roof covering have been implemented. The cost of the necessary works is likely to run into thousands of pounds and would be at the expense of the tenant.
In the case of the property that was inspected, the defects and shocking attempts at repair shown in these images present a significant risk of water ingress to the offices below and some damage to the ceiling was noted during our inspection.
These issues will most certainly cause disruption to the business operations leading to reactive costly repairs during the lease term.
We have advised the client that they cannot solely rely on the schedule of condition and long term repairs/renewal of the roof covering will need to be agreed by both parties and undertaken at the landlord’s expense as a condition of the lease being signed.